AT THE ROOTS

We know the satisfying feeling

When we pull weeds at their roots,

Knowing there’s no more growth in that region

That refuses to produce good fruit.

It’s a wonderful sensation

When the entirety is removed,

To make room for greener pastures

So the landscape is improved.

But when the root system remains

We can get frustrated indeed,

As we sincerely try to remove the fragment

At its very seed.

And when they’re not entirely plucked

We know they will reappear,

So it’s necessary to dig a little deeper

So they will disappear.

Because weeds are unproductive

They sprout but aren’t required,

Causing a nuisance, if anything

And eventually thrown into the fire.

Like the tares amidst the wheat

They look identical indeed,

But the tares are a deception

And not grown from good seed.

Similarly when God uproots our sins;

Those weeds amidst our soul,

He untangles all those tentacles

That took a deep and firm stronghold.

He removes the splinters from our spirit

As we’re refreshed and are renewed,

When He plants His law upon our heart

With everything that’s true.

Because when the root system is deep

More troubles our soul can see,

When it’s ingrained in total darkness

Where the light it cannot see.

At the roots the weeds are pulled

So we’re finally set free,

And no longer soiled

When the powers of darkness flee.

But when we’re rooted and built in Him

We abound in thanksgiving,

And firmly established in the faith

That’s organic and is living.

At the roots is where the hand

Of God’s grace decides to be,

Where we flourish with the new birth

So eternal life we see.

“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:10

“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.” Matthew 13:26

“But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” Matthew 13:29-30

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19

“Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:7

“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27

“I am the root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16