Putting Down Spiritual Roots

Let’s imagine for a moment that you planted a beautiful tree in your front yard. It looked great, and you were very happy with it for about a week. Then you thought, “I think it would be better in my backyard.”

So you dig it out, take it to your backyard, and replant it. You really like it there. But another week goes by and you think, “That was a mistake. I should put it back in my front yard again.” And so you do.

Then you change your mind ten more times and keep uprooting and replanting the tree. That tree will eventually die.

You need to leave the tree in one place so it can get its roots deep into the soil. Then you need to take care of that tree and water it.

In the same way, to abide with Jesus means sinking our spiritual roots deep into His soil. The Bible tells us, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6 NKJV).

And when we understand what it means to abide, we’ll start seeing our prayers answered in the affirmative. Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7 NKJV).

We might read that and think, “That sounds awesome!”

But wait. This promise is predicated on our abiding in Him. If we’re spending time reading God’s Word, if we’re spending time praying, then it will change the things that we want in life. In fact, we’ll find ourselves asking God for the things He wants for us rather than the things we merely want for ourselves.

If you want to walk with God, then make time for Him every day.