THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

“It is only from the light which streams constantly from heaven that a tree can derive the energy to strike its roots deep into the soil. The tree is in fact rooted in the sky.” (Simone Weil)

I love this!

Now, we must agree that a tree is “rooted” in two places, for while it extracts its energy from the light of the sun, it also sends its roots deep into the earth to gather the water it needs to survive and grow. However, for me, this is a valuable reminder that we humans are truly dual beings. Our spirit-selves can’t get nourishment, except from heaven. This soul-food is found nowhere else. Meanwhile, our temporal bodies must get their nourishment from the world around us.

And although our bodies are extremely valuable, I think it’s important to remember, that it’s our spirits, not our bodies, who are the real us. Think of it…we were the real us long before we ever got into our bodies. These magnificent mortal bodies are temporary tools for learning and growth (though Christ has promised to give them back to us, perfected, in the resurrection). However, our spirits, though they have amnesia, are largely unchanged since coming here. They longingly seek the peace and beauty of their eternal home. So, while our spirits long for heaven, our bodies are clinging to the world around us. Aha! Is it any wonder that we often find ourselves greatly at war with ourselves? And if we’re careless, we can get so attached to the physical world that our spirit-selves become numb and in danger of ignoring—or even rejecting—the true Light of the world that is continually being offered to us.

To the Jews who didn’t believe in Him, Jesus said: “Ye are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8: 23). These souls were overly-attached down here, and were not “rooted in the sky.” (They missed the Light of the world when it was blazing right in front of them!)

As well, Jesus’ prophets have counseled us for years the need to be ‘in the world, but not of the world.’

So, we are here, and our bodies need what they need. But remember, they’re just clothing for the real us. And the real us also needs what it needs.

Therefore, I ask you, what are you “rooted in”, or connected to? From whence do you get your nourishment, your desire, your motivation, your power?

I want to send my roots upward, deep into heaven…so that I’ll have the spiritual nourishment and energy to reach deeply into the world, and connect with more and more individuals, and bring soul-nourishment to them. Jesus is the Vine. We are the branches. Try cutting off a branch and see how well it grows or how much fruit it bears. It doesn’t take long at all before it starts to shrivel and dry up. Jesus knew that our spirits needed Him, or they would go limp. He also knew He needed His Father. He was and is forever rooted in the sky. And we can be too, if we stay rooted in Him.

I want to live my life rooted in the sky! How about you?

Until next week… :)