On Roots and Holy Ground — Amanda Conquers

I once heard a tale of a redwood tree.

People from all over the world would come to observe this tall giant. They would stand and look straight up into the sky trying to find the treetop. Tourists would take pictures standing next to the tree, attempting to capture the greatness of God and the smallness of man.

One day the great tree fell.

The cause of this fall wasn't from a storm, a lumberjack, or old age. The tree toppled from overexposure: too many people had walked, trampled on the ground where it's roots were.

Take off your sandals for the place where you stand is holy ground.

The tree fell from lack of space.

We all need space--sacred, holy ground.

One might think the stronger the relationship, the more it could be exposed, looked at, and withstand being trampled upon.

The more intimate the relationship, the wider the roots spread, the greater the need for space is.

Intimacy creates sacred--the need for pure and undefiled space.

This girl is craving a real and healthy relationship with God--the God that we celebrate during this season as God-become-man, Immanuel--God WITH us. I want to know Him as WITH me!

I desire a relationship with God that is unseen just as much as it is seen. I once lived thinking my relationship with God could be sustained by all that I did--by all the above ground stuff. I lived waiting for the rain of the Spirit (and, dare I even admit, the rain of affirmation) to touch my leaves. I began to whither because my roots didn't go down deep. And if I am honest, I came very close to a spiritual death.

And now... God and I are becoming intimate. I am getting to really know Him, spending time with Him, putting Him first in my life. And He is beginning to flow through everything. My roots are going down deep into living water. And when your roots are in living water, it can't help but flow through everything and change everything. Oh, it is so good friends! How I crave this for each of you!

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

Would you be so brave as to share: how is the health of your spiritual roots?? Maybe we can encourage one another? I am also pondering this bit of deepness: what are the boundaries you can put in place to keep your sacred ground from getting trampled and still be a disciple-maker (you know, letting people look into your life and encouraging them by how you live)?? I would love to hear your thoughts.

By Grace,

Amanda

Just a quick little note: I did want you all to know that I am finding that I need to be quiet this season and lean into my Savior-become-friend. There may not be too many posts around here this month. Do know I am here, and I keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are always welcome leave me a note in my email box, on Twitter or on Facebook--in fact, it kinda makes my day :)