by Marilyn Ehle
“Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.” 2 Kings 19:30
Gardening is definitely not one of my talents. When a plant withers, I am befuddled as to the cause. I thought I followed all the directions. Did I water too much? Too little? Was there insufficient fertilizer? The wrong kind? Why does my friend’s garden flourish and mine languish or—more often—finally droop into nothingness.
Many Christians find their spiritual lives drooping like my plants. They may fervently attend church and Bible studies, faithfully follow what they consider to be “the rules,” seeking to attain standards they—or others—have set. They assume that all this activity equates being “rooted and grounded” in faith.
A more talented gardening friend of mine once pointed out that perhaps one of my dismal plants was suffering from being root bound. She went on to explain that this occurs if a plant is allowed to grow in the same pot for numerous years. As plants grow above ground, they are simultaneously growing their root systems. If left to grow in the same space for an extended amount of time, a plant will literally suffocate. Depending on the kind of plant and size of its container, it can take years for the detrimental effect of being root bound to become evident.
What spiritual lessons can we learn from reviving a root bound plant? One expert suggests three ways to revitalize such a plant:
1. Water the plant and gently remove it from the pot.
2. Buy a new pot up to twice as big as the original.
3. Carefully remove up to one-third of the root system.
Root bound Christians need consistent “watering” by the Holy Spirit. This involves less doing and more being: quietly placing ourselves before the Lord, whispering, “Speak, Lord. This servant is listening.” Only rarely do we need to remove ourselves from our circumstances or environment—our “pot.” More often we just need to carefully check our calendars and commitments: what can be changed so the pot is a healthier place for growth?
And then comes the careful examination of the root system. What things—even good things—have begun to entangle, draw our attention away from receiving the nutrients our Heavenly Father offers? One New Testament writer says we are to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Too often we quickly, and correctly, confess the sin revealed to us, but refuse to closely examine what hinders healthy growth. Perhaps our view of God has become distorted. Or our use of time has become unwise. One gardening authority says that often “one-third of the plant’s roots must be removed because they are unnecessary. The old and gangly roots that are torn from the plant will be rapidly replaced by a more functional and healthy root system.”
God promised that a decayed and root bound Israel would one day “take root below and bear fruit above.” He makes the same promise to us today. Healthy growth happens as we listen for the refreshing water of the Holy Spirit, examine our circumstances to discover how our roots can best grow, then untangle what might be “binding” us. Fruit bearing is sure to come!
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http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2011/02/05/me_root-bound-plants/
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