We have a strange plant in our garden that I don’t like. I have cut it back and dug around it a number of times but it keeps on growing back. I have come to the conclusion that if I want to rid myself of this plant then I will need to get to the root of the matter; To dig down deep and pull the entire plant out. There is no point just pruning back the leaves or cutting off what I can see. I need to get this thing out by its life source – the roots!
There is an unusual account in the bible that speaks about the significance of dealing with the root of the matter. One day Jesus and His disciples were walking along the road and:
“Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, Jesus went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
The next morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Teacher, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Matthew 11:12-14)
If you have ever seen a fig tree you will know that they are massive trees. So what happened to that fig tree that Jesus cursed? After Jesus spoke to it, the tree didn’t look any different; it was still as green and leafy as ever.
But the next day, that tree was completely withered up. Why? Because trees don’t die from the leaves down, they die from the roots up. Jesus hadn’t bothered to be confused or distracted with what He could see. He knew that He was speaking to that tree’s life source, and that it would do exactly as He had told it to.
Too often when we are faced with an issue or problem in our life we are distracted by what we can see, instead of dealing with the root of the matter.
Everything in life has a source and if we don’t go straight to the source we are only ever dealing with issues superficially, and they will resurface and “grow” right back. We can waste our time, prayers and effort cutting back at the “leaves” – what we can see on the surface, instead of making the hard calls and dealing with the root.
If you know that you have been struggling with an issue and it just keeps on raising it’s ugly head. If you’ve talked about it, maybe even had professional help, you’ve prayed, and that thing still keeps on coming up, I encourage you to ask God to show you what the root is. What is the point where everything is originating? That’s what you need to get out of your life. Don’t be distracted by the leaves; the noise, or symptoms.
Just as Jesus cursed that fig tree and it withered up, tell that thing it can no longer reside in your life. Command it to shrivel up and completely die, so that God’s life can instead flourish in its place. Go to the root and get that thing out of your life once and for all!
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Matthew 11:22-25)
Prayer: Lord show me what the root of my issue is, and give me wisdom and clarity to know exactly where this is coming from in my life. I want to be free, and instead have your love and goodness as my life source. In Jesus Name Amen.