Rootfulness

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3)

There is something about nature that makes almost everyone feel at home. The rustling of leaves, the songs that chirping birds produce, the sound of a raging river, and the magnificent view of mountains and hills – all these can cause many people to unwind and have a refreshed mind and spirit.

I grew up in a city with a population of over two million. Whenever I see a chance to stay away from the city, I always make sure that I grab it.

One day, my pastor asked me to go with him to the Bible college that our local church operates. I knew that it was a twelve-hour drive, but I jumped right in knowing that it was an opportunity to be away from the busy streets of Manila.

On this trip, I had my most unforgettable conversation with my pastor. While looking at some of the trees on our way to Bicol, he started telling us about the Chinese Bamboo tree.

Like any tree, the Chinese Bamboo tree requires a good amount of nurturing – fertile soil, water, and sunshine. The visible growth of this tree, however, is unique. In its first year, we can never see any sign of activity. It is only in its fifth year that a Chinese Bamboo tree starts growing – and it grows up to eighty feet in just six weeks!

The Chinese Bamboo tree, however, is never dormant during its first four years. It might seem like nothing is happening, but the tree was growing underground, developing a root system that would support and sustain its outward growth for the following years. My pastor even mentioned that for every three feet of root growth, the Chinese Bamboo tree grows a foot of its trunk. Every foot of its trunk is supported by three feet of roots.

Our life as a Christian is like a Chinese Bamboo tree; our fruitfulness will never exceed our rootfulness. What’s happening in our private life determines our public success.

Our life as a Christian is like a Chinese Bamboo tree; our fruitfulness will never exceed our rootfulness. What’s happening in our private life determines our public success.

Raymart Lugue

Jesus wants to see fruit in our lives. He wants to see the by-product of what He invested in our lives – His blood, His Word, and His Spirit. He desires to see growth and productivity, otherwise, He cuts us off to make room for something that can bear fruit.

We also desire to see fruits in our lives. Although people have different reasons why they desire this, we all want to know that we are doing something significant in this world and in the world to come. This is why people crave for success. We do whatever it takes to become successful, at least in our perspective.

What we need to remember, however, is to focus on what is happening on the inside more than on the outside. We need to crave not for public success but for private success. We need to realize that when all things are said and done, what will be left in us as Christians is our private walk with God.

What are we doing to ensure the we are growing underground? What are we doing to ensure that our private life with God is healthy?

May we remember that while people see our fruits, God sees our roots.

May we remember that while people see our fruits, God sees our roots.

Raymart Lugue