Sunday, September 18, 2016

Taproots

The Almighty... blesses you with blessing of the heaven above [and] blessing of the deep that lies below.
 Genesis 49:25

    The art of raising miniature trees, known as bonsai, was developed by the Japanese. To create a miniature tree, the taproot is cut, forcing the tree to live on only the nourishment provided by the way reach a height of only twelve to eighteen ouuuuuzinches.
    The taproot of a tree is the part of the root system that goes deep into the soil. The tree lives, but it does deep into soil to absorb essential minerals and huge quantities of water sometimes several hundred quarts a day. Taproots grow deepest in dry, sandy areas where there is little rainfall. The root system of a tree not only nourishes the tree but provides stability, anchoring it securely into the ground so it can nit be blown over by strong winds. The root system is a good analogy for the Chtistian life. Richard J. Foster wrote, "Superficially is the curse of our age.... The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
    How do Christians grow deep in their spiritual life? In the same way a taproot grows deep in search of the nourishment that will cause it grow. In modern culture, Christians have to seek out spiritual food that will result in spiritual maturnity Regular times of prayer and Bible study, individual and corporate worship, serving others, and Christian fellowship are just some of the ways Christians can grow deep roots.
     What are the benefits of depth in our spiritual life? Like the trees...?
       *  we will be able to stand strong--"the righteous cannot be uprooted" (Proverb 12:3), and
      *   we will be fruitful--"the root of the righteous flourishes" (Proverb 12:12).
Seek the Lord daily, so you can grow deep in your faith and withstand the storms of life.

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