Placing Your Roots in the Right Atmosphere

Everyone lives within a certain atmosphere. Now, when I say this, I mean it within a metaphorical context. Other people call it “environment,” some call it “social conditions,” but for the sake of this post, I’ll refer to it as one’s “atmosphere.” And at the end of the day, it is the atmosphere you decide to grow within, that determines the way you think as well as act. So continue reading to learn about placing your roots in the right atmosphere.

Tree?

I think I’ve mentioned it before, but, God has a keen habit out of likening humans to trees, vine branches, etc… in the Bible. So, as you read this post, you will notice my comparison of us, humans, to trees.

Nevertheless, onward we shall venture into this study!

Every tree requires a good atmosphere. If a tree doesn’t have the right soil, the right quality of air, the right amount of water, it fails to sustain itself.

But, what atmosphere do you put yourself in?

I can tell you right now, you are not superhuman to be free of what surrounds you. As a human being, it is impossible to have no attachment to what you consume.

If you spend your time listening to songs with aggressive lyrics and cuss words, it won’t be too difficult to find yourself swearing in your mind every now and then.

1 Corinthians 15:33 King James Version (KJV)
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Furthermore, as the Bible says above, “Be not deceived,” because it is quite easy for well-meaning people to fool themselves into thinking that they are strong enough to be unaffected by what they spend time with.

Like it or not, the analogy of human beings to trees is a very real image. We are just as easily affected by our social atmosphere as trees are affected by their physical atmosphere.

You take away a tree’s sunlight, it withers. And in the same way, if you expose your mind to the world’s filth, you will be affected.

For example, if you watch an anime, movie, or TV show that embraces vulgarity, your mindset will automatically become more and more tolerant towards that which is vulgar. Therefore, start placing your roots in the right atmosphere.

Placing Your Roots in the Right Atmosphere

As I said in the prior subsection, please, begin placing your roots in the right atmosphere. Don’t let this world fool you into following its flow lest it leads you to loss.

Now, behind that computer or phone screen, you may be asking, “But Andre, where should I root myself upon?”

My friend, root yourself in the love of Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ is the one true God who came down to Earth in the flesh of a human being. His ministry healed, delivered, and blessed everyone. But, the religious leaders of that day wished for nothing but harm towards Lord Jesus Christ.

So they forced the ancient Roman government to crucify Lord Jesus Christ. However, this was the plan of God for He had to die as an innocent man to pay for the sin of humanity. The precious blood of Lord Jesus Christ paid for every sin, curse, and suffering.

And as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are placing your roots in the right atmosphere, you root yourself in His love!

John 3:16 World English Bible (WEB)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

His blood is the water which you need and His heart is the soil from which you must sprout. He died on the cross a horrific death to grant your soul eternal life and He experienced a glorious resurrection within 3 days to grant you victory over every trial and challenge.

Ephesians 3:17-19 World English Bible (WEB)
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The Grand Gardener

John 10:10 World English Bible (WEB)
10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who came down to Earth in the flesh of a human being as Lord Jesus Christ has set before you two crossroads.

Choose the path that He wills for your life. Make sure you start placing your roots in the right atmosphere because with God, you will blossom and bear good fruit.

Spend some time studying the Word of God. Pray to the Lord your God, and place all your anxieties on Him. He will most certainly bless you!

Galatians 5:16 World English Bible (WEB)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Let God be your gardener. He will water you, He will place you in fertile soil, and He will prune you so that you bear the best fruit possible. Under the care of God who loves you very much, you will grow and learn to love Him.

The sacred and precious heart of God beats with love for you. His words of care and concern for your well being are sincere and well-justified by the sacrifices He’s made for you.

You may not feel love for God, however, He only asks you to seek Him so that when you get to know Him more, you’ll fall in love with Him.

After all, what’s not there in God to fall in love with. He made you, He’s kind, He’s courageous, He’s valiant, He’s loving, and He’s so much more.

In conclusion, just spend time every day reflecting on His love and maintain a good relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Jeremiah 31:3 World English Bible (WEB)
Yahweh appeared of old to me, saying,

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.
    Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness.

Are You Standing At the Crossroads?”

Standing at the crossroads.

“Crossroads” is defined as the intersection of several roads. This post will metaphorically surround the topic of crossroads because you may be standing at the crossroads. What that means is that there are different paths/roads which you can take as you journey throughout your life, but, you need to make a decision. The truth is that we all come to a point in life where we have to make tough decisions. And I get it, decisions aren’t easy to make, but that’s why I’m going to talk about how you should choose which crossroad to take.

Standing at the Crossroads?

As I mentioned earlier, whether you care about your life or not, you’ve got to make decisions.

You can live your life with absolute complacency or back-breaking self-discipline, but in the end, the decision is yours.

Your decisions can lead you down a dark crossroad, and may ultimately betray you…

Proverbs 14:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
    but in the end it leads to death.

Or your decisions can bless your name and lead you down a crossroad of triumph!

Proverbs 2:20 World English Bible (WEB)
20 So you may walk in the way of good men,
    and keep the paths of the righteous.

The point I’m trying to get across is that your decisions matter. And the crossroad you take will make an impact on your life, I guarantee you that.

I’ll give you some examples of times when you might have to choose between crossroads. A personal example, is that very soon, I’ll have to make a decision as to what university I attend.

Another example, not relating to my personal life, is if one must decide between two careers. A different example of one stuck between crossroads is one imbued with a passion to begin a business yet is wary of the potential risk to such a pursuit.

I can give thousands of examples of major decisions we are all bound to make. But, you first ought to know that your decisions do matter because they ultimately lead to somewhere. Ten seasons from now, you’ll either be rejoicing or grovelling because of your decision.

There’s Someone Standing Next to You

However, you’re not alone. Rather, there is someone observing every step you make. He sees you as you stumble and He sees you as you succeed. You might have not taken notice of Him already, but, He’s there.

His name is Lord Jesus Christ. He is the God who came down to Earth in the flesh so that He may receive the divine retribution for your sins.

And the most important time you choose between crossroads is when you choose to either go down the path where He leads you or the path where you believe yourself to be the leader.

Psalm 119:105 World English Bible (WEB)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet,
    and a light for my path.

In the above scripture, King David tells God that His word is a lamp to David’s feet and a light to his path.

And for a long time, I’ve been asking myself, “Who’s holding that lamp?” Well, I can say in my life, through every narrow escape I’ve made and every close call I’ll ever make in my life, it’s been Lord Jesus Christ who’s held that lamp.

I may have been ever so tempted to be unfaithful to Him, yet, it is Lord Jesus, who always motions the lamp in His hand to my eyes that I may see the crossroads ahead of me.

2 Timothy 2:13 World English Bible (WEB)
13 If we are faithless,
    he remains faithful;
    for he can’t deny himself.”

And as I gaze into His fiery eyes, I become confident that whatever path I take, I shall take for His glory. My question to you this day is do you have someone to hold the lamp for you? Do you know where you’re headed?

If not so, accept Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour; let Him guide you down the right crossroad!

Hesitation

I wonder what would happen if hesitation did not play such a glamourous role in our decision making. Either one of two things could happen.

We’d either be making more decisions that are terrible or more decisions that are beneficial. Therefore, I say to hesitate from making unwise choices yet show no mercy to the one who tempts you to be hesitant from that which is undoubtfully good.

An example of when hesitation is good is when it causes you to think for a second or two before making a business partnership. Think long and hard before you make any major decisions.

On the other hand, it is your responsibility to show no hesitation when God calls you to do something. When you absolutely know that God wants you to start some sort of venture, then, don’t let hesitation steal your opportunity to receive God’s blessing!

Luke 9:62 World English Bible (WEB)
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”

Let hesitation be your ally instead of your opponent for it is better to have it as a safeguard instead of as a tempter. Think twice before you make any major decision or investment of your resources, but, don’t look back once you’ve set out to do what God wants you to do.

If you’re not sure about what should be your next course of action, ask God for His wisdom. He’s not stingy when it comes to His counsel. You can be sure you will receive a response once you share your dilemma with Him because He never breaks His Word.

Isaiah 58:11 World English Bible (WEB)
11 and Yahweh will guide you continually,
    satisfy your soul in dry places,
    and make your bones strong.
You will be like a watered garden,
    and like a spring of water
    whose waters don’t fail.

In conclusion, as you stand at the crossroads, read His Word, seek Him in prayer, and let Lord Jesus Christ guide you down the path which He wills for your life!