Putting down new roots

It’s not enough for you to simply cut off bad roots. New roots need to be put down because you do not only want to stop the bad fruit; you want a new life with good fruit. But this is only possible when you have a new root… one that is good.

How do we acquire this root? One step is to change the source of your trust.

How? God Himself explains this through the prophet Jeremiah (17.5-8):

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. (By trusting in doctors, lawyers, the wise of this world, and in your own wisdom and abilities, you forget to trust in God. Notice that they will live under a curse — not simple bad luck or a bad period of time, but a constant state of negativity and suffering.)

For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, (abandoned, alone, isolated, rejected, despised) and shall not see when good comes, (Blinded by your own pride, you will miss opportunities; you may even have material possessions but you will not enjoy them — like many rich people in this world.) but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. (You will attract bad things, and will live in the worst situations)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. (He makes Him his root, he trusts in Him, he only looks to Him for help)

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, (the Holy Spirit) which spreads out its roots by the river, (that flows from the throne of God) and will not fear when heat comes; (bad news, bad times) but its leaf will be green, (Your appearance does not change, as with many, who are like the moon and depend on external circumstances.) and will not be anxious (mental and emotional state) in the year of drought, (prolonged difficulties) nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Nothing can be used as an excuse for not bearing fruit because this tree continues to be fed by the rivers of water around the root.)

Changing your source of trust means that you recognize that Jesus is your Root. He is the single source of energy that you need for life. But to receive this energy, you have to connect to it, to become a receptor of it. In His own words: Apart from me, you can do nothing.

How can you apply this in your life?

Take back your trust of people, things, knowledge, in yourself, and place it completely in God. Keep on studying, going to the doctor, interacting with people — but don’t trust in these things. Understand that everything and everybody is limited and can disappoint.

Start to develop a dependence, a relationship with the true Root, Jesus. Talk to Him constantly. Meditate on what He says in the Bible. Go to His house with others of the same faith. Seek to please Him and to follow His counsel.