Proverbs 12:12
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.
Roots are pretty boring. At first. You don’t see them. You can’t feel them. You don’t know how strong they are or that they even exist.
Plunder is pretty exciting. At first. It’s shiny and forbidden. It’s free and exotic. You’ve got something new and different and off limits. It’s visually and emotionally intoxicating.
But over time, roots grow big trees. Roots get better and stronger and more important. What is hidden comes to light.
Plunder loses it’s shine. Consequences catch up. What we thought was sexy is now suddenly empty.
Are you living a life of roots or plunder right now?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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14 comments:
must be roots, 'cause it sure is short on plunder! :)
enjoying this series, Jon. thanks for your ministry.
So I should stop singing "I want my TARP", (desiring the plunder of evil men) and grow where I'm planted.
Wow, thanks for the reminder. Coffee is almost done, time to water my roots and sit down and have a cup of java with Jesus.
"Java with Jesus..."
that's great; the best way to start your day!
Thanks for this, Jon---I'm going to do the same.
(Oh! The roots vs. fruits question?
I ain't sayin.....)
Never saw it that way. :) Good point!!
I pursued plunder quite enthusiastically for twenty years or so. It's not simply shiny, forbidden, exotic, new and different or off limits. It's more than just visually and emotionally intoxicating. Though it may seem so at first, it's not the least bit free. The cost is life itself. Plunder kills you. Like frogs in slowly boiling water, it’s a death we willingly endure. Over the past five years or so I’ve decided it makes more sense to cultivate roots. Gardening is tough work. Flourishing, now there is an idea that’s truly intoxicating.
"gardening is tough work".....in order for the roots to flourish, the surrounding ground must be prepared and tended.....
tough work indeed
good stuff to chew on today ... thanks
when i first saw the title i thought that you were going to tie in justin timberlake and the roots into some deep meaningful expose mankind's condition but now i get what youre getting at...
the merriam webster dictionary defines plunder as: something taken by force, theft, or fraud.
if the Bible says: "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein." Psalm 24:1 D-RB; then are the wicked desiring what is rightfully God's?
if thats the case then i'm sticking to my roots.
Dang it, you're honest. Not just this post, but I've been catching up on the last several. Ouch.
Hi you dont know me but I read Jakes blog and he recommended your writing today. I was so touched by this writing that I shared w/man that came into our office.I spoke to him and he asked if he could have a copy of this. So I copied and pasted and gave him a copy. He told me after we talked that he was a pastor.Amazing how many people can be touched when we are all obedient.Thank you for your writing.
You're title was possibly made funnier for me by the fact I read this verse in the Amplified Bible; "The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fruitage]".
When we chase after other peoples stuff, we get disappointed we're not like them. We miss out on bearing richer fruit ourselves, if only we'd sink our roots into the Word... into Jesus!
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit at the seat of mockers
But his delight is on the Law of the LORD
and on His Law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
that yields fruit in it's season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does, he prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3
I don't know....I covered my graying roots this morning with shiny, exciting plunder. But my life, definitely roots!
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