Putting Down Roots

Day 12. We're officially more than half way through with this fast. It hit me yesterday that in a little over a week we'll be celebrating the resurrection of our Lord (and I can eat a hamburger, is it okay that these two reflections are in the same sentence?). God has shown me much in a short amount of time, He's allowed me to experience spiritual highs and selfish lows. It's funny b/c at the time I even knew how selfish and whiny I was being and couldn't seem to stop myself.

I woke up just in a bad mood, tired and hungry and since there wasn't anything easy and convenient to eat I began to pout (it seemed easier at the time than actually putting thought and energy into making something - problem is I still ended up hungry). I then began to spout off about the eight reasons I was not going to be doing the Daniel Fast next year. What a horrible attitude! I realized that with traveling and being out of my element and the various additional responsibilities that come with that I hadn't spent a large amount of time in the Word. I hadn't been soaking in God's love for me, I hadn't learned anything, and I certainly hadn't gone out of my way to love on others. When I took my eyes off the prize this journey took a sharp turn south.

My YouVersion reading for the day was in Matthew 13 and I was drawn to the parable of the sower. I began to realize that with this I very closely identified with the seed that fell among the rocks. Sure, it sprang up quickly. But without roots it died quickly as well. I hadn't planted roots. I NEED to plant roots - without roots even going through this fast and what we've learned may not last. The hope, the wonders, what we've learned, what we're feeling, if not grounded will have no lasting effects. Those plants among the rocky soil do not produce. And if in this life we cannot take what God is doing in our life and use it to help bring in a harvest then we are missing out. We are missing out on one of the greatest rocket rides in the history of mankind, because God is moving. Did you hear that? God. Is. Moving. Don't you want to be a part of the greatest story ever written? But if we're not putting down roots, if we're not intentionally growing deeper in the Word of God, understanding His true character, then we certainly can't grow up and outward. If we aren't growing deeper and doing it consistently we will not be able to produce fruit. I was humbled to the point of wanting to hide. But our God is a God of love and being the parent and the perfect being that He is I believe He smiled and reminded that in the words of Matthew West, "It's not about population me."

My day instantly changed as I began to look for ways to bless others. I even volunteered to go to Cherry On Top and get Raymonn and Prayse frozen yogurt (with jelly beans and sprinkles of course) that I couldn't eat. A small act of service but it helped pull my view from inward to outward. And the best thing that could ever have happened? God opened a door to have a serious conversation with my four year old about the true meaning of Easter and to hear her asking to pray to Jesus to come into her heart and "do Xavier" (instead of "be her Savior" - but apparently she wanted to bring her brother in on it too). :) Grow Roots. Reap a harvest. Is our God not good?