Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Violation (04/04/24)
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TITLE: A Tangle of Roots | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
04/11/24 -
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I watched as the water in the toilet rose to the top, inches from overflowing. How long was I going to have to deal with this? This was the second Saturday in a row this had happened. Once again I called on my friend to come and help me, and, once again, I had to call the after hours emergency number for my apartment complex. Each time the maintenance crew couldn't get the issue fixed and had to call a plumber. I was leery every time I flushed the toilet, afraid it was going to happen again. Stress sat on my shoulders, weighing me down.
I was told the problem was likely tree roots from the big oak tree that stands outside my apartment. This last Friday I thought I was having problems again so I called the office and the maintenance crew came again. They did some work outside and then let me know the plumber had put a camera down the pipe to see what was going on. Sure enough, a tangle of roots was seen. Monday morning the plumber came to hopefully take care of the problem. He used a 'tool' that shot water forcefully to break up any roots and debris that might be causing problems.
Sunday morning as I sat in church, singing a song about my soul coming awake and the Spirit of the Living God falling afresh on me, I thought of that situation and how the pipes were clogged with those roots that didn't belong and I realized God had a lesson for me.
What kind of tangled roots did I have clogging the flow of the Holy Spirit in my life? What temptations were violating my life, that I gave into time and time again? What grief did I need to let go of? What hurts done to me by others did I need to release to the Father and forgive, with His help?
I realized I hadn't been spending time with Him on a regular basis; in His Word or in prayer, to have the 'force' of the Holy Spirit flow through my soul and break up the debris and roots as only He can.
As I write this, a passage in Hebrews comes to mind. It says:
“For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.
“But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.”
Why would I not want to come boldly to the throne of grace often, knowing that I have help readily available to me without question, and that I can tell God anything, and won't be turned away? I am loved with a great love, a redeeming love, that sets me free every time I come to Him with sins I've committed, a grief ridden heart, or a wounded soul. He is there. Always. In all ways. He touches me deeply and He breaks up the roots that have violated my life.
Scripture reference: Hebrews 4:12-16 (The Living Bible)
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