"For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit."(Jeremiah 17:8 NASB)
-GO
Just in these recent years, our third world country has caught up with the developed ones in terms of commercialism.
Strategic places are now planted with malls instead of trees. Sky-rise buildings and hotels are growing here and there.
In one of the tourist spots up north, which we call the summer capital of our country because of it's altitude and cooler temperatures, there was this issue between mall developers and one nature advocacy group, over earth-balling of centuries-old trees. The trees are practically like citizens. How on earth did this method come about? Trees are being moved to other locations, earth and all, to give way to change and progress.
This has lead me to think about the roots which has long been established and secure to the ground, and perhaps has extended to reach to where it can be watered. If it were a person, I would think I am supplied with everything I need, thriving and yielding fruits in season. But what is going to happen when you are earth-balled and transferred? Will I last the trauma of the transition and then adopt to my new settings? Will I ever bear fruits again?
But one thing is sure, wherever one is planted, one has to grow, thrive and bear fruit. One must live up to the purpose God has created him or her for. If so, to whom should we abide? Where comes our provisions?
The true nourishment comes from the Lord. Complete obedience and being rooted to the Word of God makes us grow like the tree of Jeremiah 17:8. Come storms, floods, droughts and other forces of nature, it will remain standing and will yield fruits in season.
The opposite goes to those who do not trust in God and depend on their own strength. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert and go to waste. (Jer 17:5-6)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." (Jer. 17:7)
I had been planted and earth-balled many times. Pain comes with it and some re-adjustments. I know deeply why and I pray I will be rooted upon His promises and remain in Him so that I may grow, thrive, and bear fruits. My roots need to extend to where the soul-nourishment is, to where life is, to where eternity begins.
Happy to join the Lisa-Jo and the FMF community writing about ROOTS (November 2, 2012).
I may be late due to some constraints in connection but nevertheless heard.
-STOP
LINKS TO SOME EARTH-BALLING POSTS:
