There is a scripture in Jeremiah that speaks of building and planting. But before the building and planting, there are four other acts that take place. I've always found this scripture fascinating.
"See today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
Jeremiah 10:1 NIV
When we see an area of our lives that needs change--when an issue needs to come to an end--we find ourselves on the threshold of change. We must believe things can be different. Then we must believe it is possible to take the steps necessary to make the change. And lastly, we must have a willingness within to provide action to our belief.
If I have a bad habit, I must have hope that my habit can be overcome and replaced with a healthy habit. I have to believe I'm smart enough to make the change--to be able to actually learn the new habit. And my will must bend to the change, choosing daily, even hourly to walk a different route than the one to which I've grown accustomed.
And sometimes, you have to uproot the old system, ripping the foundation our by it's system which lies beneath the surface where others can't see. We have to cut off the limbs and branches which have provided growth and nourishment to the old system.
Then we take the roots, the branches, the limbs, and burn it, destroying it completely. And instead of giving that same tree the "permission" to begin growing in that same spot again, we either leave that area of ground bare, or something entirely new is planted in its place.
Uproot, tear down, destroy, and overthrow.
THEN, we build and plant.
Need to uproot anything as we draw this year to a close? Imagine the hope and promise of planting and building in the New Year!
(c) 2010 Sheri Smith Bertolini
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