The Soil of Life...

Where are the roots planted?


Are they sunk down deep into the nourishing, life-sustaining soil of the Word? The soil that is solid and firm and can anchor the living thing in times of adversity.


The soil that can feed and water during times of drought and famine? The only soil that can absolutely withstand the erosion from the raging waters? The soil that grabs a hold of the roots and doesn't let go?


This is the soil that sustains.

His Word is the soil that gives and gives and gives. And we are His vines which He has planted here on this terrestrial soil.


But when the Sower planted His vines, He planted them knowing full well that they would need continual watering, continual pruning, continual feeding in order to produce to their fullest. In order to grow and be beneficial, the vines would need close care and attention.


But somehow, those vines become intent on spreading themselves out where they see best. They wind to the left, to the right, up and around, seeking the sunlight and water that they think will best feed their souls and fit their purposes.


But the Sower, who planted those vines for a purpose, He knows exactly what they need. He created them, after all.

So, He prunes them a bit, and it hurts and it's uncomfortable. But He knows that what they need is a little cutting back of the places and things they were trying to grow to reach. He knows that they were growing and stretching into places He never intended for them to go.


So He slowly and tenderly takes those wayward vines, the life-draining vines, and He cuts them away. In love, He cuts back those branches that are growing haphazardly, that are stealing away the good things from the vines He created.


And, oh, that fresh wound hurts. It hurts because the vine has lost a part of itself. A part that it thought it needed, but a part that was really just fabricated out of itself to fulfill curiosities and discontentment.


But He knows where each cut lays fresh. And He made His vines with the amazing power to heal in those wounded places. To heal and scar over, not in stoicism, but in strength. The wounded places become strong and unbendable. A source of confidence in the Good Soil.


And He takes that wounded, pruned vine and He watches it. He tenderly pours out His living water into the ground, and it soaks down into the good soil, allowing the roots to soak up, to drink from His care.


And the roots that are grounded in the Good Soil produce abundantly. They stretch into the places that the Sower directs. They bloom and bring forth beauty and abundance. These Sower-grounded roots produce sustenance to feed those around it. The Sower waters, feeds, and cares for the vines. And in their obedience to the Sower, they reap abundant fruit. Fruit that fills branches heavy to the ground.


And these are the vines, the plants, that bring forth the good fruit. The fruit of the Creator. The fruit that feeds not only the body, but the soul. These are the vines that give abundantly because they allow their Creator to pour His care and love into their life.


The vines that produce fruit that redeems life, that lifts the weary sojourner, that infuses his body, soul, and mind with joy and hope.


These are the vines that bring forth the fruit that is eternal.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3