Springtime Roots and Reaching

It is Saturday in northern Texas. The wind is chilly and the sky is blue. It is springtime in all its glory – with flowers and blossoms everywhere one looks. On the surface, one could easily believe, like  in Robert Browning’s Pippa’s song, “God’s in his heaven–All’s right with the world.”

Is that true? Could it be? Perhaps.

Can you feel the stratifying of our world? Factions? Divisions? People with vaccines, those without…all kinds of differences among us. Focus on “us and them“, rather than God. This is a tactic…one that has been around for a long, long time. Jesus warned us about this.

“But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.'” Matthew 12:25 NKJV

It’s good to step back and look at the context here. What was going on when Jesus uttered this warning? First, there was a man who was demon possessed, and Jesus healed him. Instantly. Completely. Transformation on the spot! And what was the reaction of some who witnessed it?

Not so good.

The “religious leaders”, rather than rejoicing and praising God, accused the Light of the Word of being ruled by Satan. Can you imagine? A miracle had just occurred, and they wanted to attribute it to the “other side”.

Huh? Why would they do this? There are many possibilities, and I am not a theologian. However, I see  terrifying parallels in our world today. It feels frighteningly familiar. Sometimes those in “control” do not accept and even fear what they can’t control. I guess the Spirit of God may fall into that category.

Later in this passage, Jesus also says:

“‘Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.'” Matthew 12:35 NKJV

It is spring, a time of renewal, growth, hope and a time where plants flourish. What kind of a tree do we see ourselves as being? What type of fruit are we producing? Are you loaded with blossoms, preparing to share the wealth of your God-given gifts with others in a bountiful harvest?

Jesus set so many strong examples of what genuine faith, hope and love look like. I encourage you today to cultivate them. Actively seek them – just like the roots of a tree continue to stretch out toward the water the tree needs. Jesus will give it – all we have to do is reach.