The paved path I walk most mornings is shifting.
Lifted. Moved. Broken.
By earthquake, flood, or foot traffic?
No. Roots of nearby trees travel underneath. Moving asphalt. Breaking through brick and stone.
Revealing their power and hold. Eventually breaking through from underneath the surface. Disrupting my steps.
Roots
Pride can be subtle. Creeping through, unnoticed.
Traveling hidden inroads to the heart.
Its roots shift my focus. Break relationships. Hinder my walk with the Lord.
“Don’t be wise in your own eyes…,” the proverb says.
Sometimes it takes a wilderness to clarify the issue. Reminding me He is all. I am not.
Fear the Lord
The proverb continues. “…fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
Fear the Lord. Ask him to shine a searchlight on selfishness and self-reliance taking root. To reveal arrogance gathering strength under the radar.
The “I’ve got this” has a way of persisting. Urging me to lean on my own understanding.
And there it is. Pride. Inviting other sins to join the party.
Repent
Paul’s attention to putting off the old and putting on the new instructs us. Gives deliberate attention to making changes.
When I ask Him to reveal besetting sins or any other sin, I then confess.
And turn from whatever clutter has been gathering in the shadows.
Repent from prideful thoughts taking root.
Be filled
After that, “be filled with the Spirit” is the gospel way of trusting Him with all my heart.
Allowing Him full control of my life. Roots and all.
Day by day I’m called to acknowledge the One who has full claim on me. Surrendering everything to Him.
And the Lord walks with me, step by step. He makes my paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-7
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (CSB)
What about you?
How do you identify old ways trying to take root in your life?
Related posts
He is enough – Heart and soul – Trust in the Lord – Fragments – Worship – Such as it is – Discontent – Runaway prophet –
Proverbs 3:5-7 – Ephesians 4:20-32 – Ephesians 5:1-21 – Psalm 139:23-24 –
4 replies on “Roots”
I’m learning to doubt the times that I think “I know this…I’ve done this before.” Trying to keep an open mind and willing heart to see the things I don’t know!
Good word. Thanks for sharing!
I think reading Scripture helps your identify when you’re letting the old nature be in control. I’m re-reading through some devotionals by Selwyn Hughes and recently it’s been about putting Jesus as central and not self. It’s amazing how easy we all fall into being the center of our lives. Jesus said: Deny self, take up your cross and follow me (Matt. 16:24)
Isn’t that the truth! Not only “keep your eyes upon Jesus” but He is ALL in all.