Roots and Relationships
If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15b
A woman was doing some long awaited yard work. There was one stand of weeds that had grown thick and tall. She was digging them out by the roots.
It was a lot of work and a neighbor noticed. He grabbed his weed-whacker and came to her “rescue.” The work was done in moments.
The next spring the weeds were back. Just as thick but not as tall…yet. Weed-whackers do not get to the roots.
Doing some yard work recently, I realized that though I had no weed-whacker, I was lazily pulling weeds, leaving the roots. “Do you really want to do this again in the spring?”
Sin (and pain) is like this. We can clean up the area of our lives that others see but still leave a “root” that can grow again at any time. Often, we leave weeds of anger, unspoken pain, or unresolved conflict that grow their own roots of bitterness in us.
Sometimes we are advised to “let it go,” “just forgive,” or not to tell anyone for fear it would ruin another person’s reputation or our own. Think weed-whacker. Our most trusted advisers may think it is better to “As you are praying, forgive” (Mark 11:25).
Forgiving while you’re praying is a great idea if you are able to do that completely. Often, when the pain is deep, there needs to be a conversation. Matthew 18:15 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault. The passage (Matthew 18:15-17) continues saying that if he does not hear you, take a witness (remembering that it is possible that this witness will help you understand that your brother did not sin against you.).
If even the witness cannot help the sinner see their sin, then God says to take the person before the church.
This method gets to the root — confidentially at first when there is the most hope of reconciliation. Others are brought into the process only if it is unresolvable between the two.
As Christians we claim faith in God’s wisdom, in His grace and mercy. Yet, His Word tells us what to do to accomplish that grace and mercy with each other and we ignore it and fail to teach the next generation.
His way works because He is the Creator and sustainer of all things – including His people.
For a time after digging out the roots of plants the ground looks a little chewed up. Getting to the root of relational problems may not be pretty – yet. When the old roots are out, new things can begin to grow, and even become lush!
So, if you have been weed-whacking at the things that need to be dug out by the root, the sooner the better. If sin or pain eventually lead to a root of bitterness, it will hinder your faith and the work you have to do for the Great God of mercy and grace.
Where do you and I need to start digging?
I am thankful God is softening my heart and helping me forgive a certain person. I am learning that by asking God to help me forgive, my burden is becoming less and less.
Melissa, Your key phrase there is “asking God.” May He answer that prayer!
❤
Thanks, Sharon!
Amen Sister, Digging time!!!!
Yeah, Stephen, Just whacking them down is not enough!
Thanks for commenting.
Forgiveness can be hard but it’s so necessary. Thanks and God bless!
Love your sentence, “Weed-whackers do not get to the roots”. I love to weed-wack and there is such a satisfying feeling when the weeds are chopped. But they do come back. It takes internal digging to get to the roots of our own issues. Hard and painful to do but worth doing in the long run. Going through that right now. Thanks!
Glad you found it encouraging Claudio. Roots can be tough to get but worth the effort!
Thanks for commenting.
Amen, Nancy.
There are some root issues I’m finally allowing God to work on because I joined a small church, rather than a large one I could hide in. I realized I was weed whacking for many years; it’s certainly easier and less painful than digging weeds out by the roots. Great post!
I love this, the concept of digging deep and tackling the core/root of our sin. As they say, a fight about the dishwasher is never about the dishwasher. A surface sin always goes far deeper.
Thanks Jessica, We both know that just cleaning the outside of the cup doesn’t cut it with the Lord!
Thanks Candice, I pray you will find peace and joy at the end of the hard work of digging out the roots!
Such a great analogy, Beth! There is a huge difference between whacking weeds and digging them up by the roots…the real source of riddance! Likewise sin must be dealt with the same way so we can bloom spiritually and our faith is not hindered.
Thanks, Karen, Spiritual blooms make a pretty thought!
Wonderful post, Beth! I love how Mark puts this, “As you are praying, forgive,” Sometimes it takes many prayers over a period of time to forgive some hurts. But placing ourselves in a posture of forgiveness as we pray takes us to that destination of total forgiveness. Prayer weeds out my hurt and anger and replaces them with God’s mercy and grace.
Thank you, Marcie, Praise God for prayer – and His mercy and grace!