We read in the Bible of a fast-growing plant that provided shade for the prophet Jonah. One of the four varieties of tomato plants in our garden this year reminds me of that. You can almost watch it grow! Paul warns of a noxious fast-growing plant in the book of Hebrews. “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Heb. 12:15). Anyone who has gardened can attest that weeds grow faster than vegetables.

As primary caregiver for my dad who is on hospice, my day is punctuated with frequent caregiving responsibilities. Over the past several weeks, I have found it easy to put on a YouTube podcast or listen to very heated political commentary as I go about my business. The flesh finds it easier to listen to someone ranting about the daily news than to the gospel of John. When pausing between tasks, it is easier to scroll through Facebook than to contemplate the great themes of salvation. And so, cause and effect, it happened. A root of bitterness sprang up, as it were, overnight. (Didn’t Paul warn us to be careful?) Out of the overflow of my now bitter heart, my mouth spoke words that I can only apologize for, but cannot unsay.
Jesus said, “If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off.” Taking that advice, I have deleted my precious Facebook account and removed the ever-alluring YouTube app from my phone. The Desire of Ages audiobook has replaced angry news commentary. Bible memorization has replaced mindless scrolling. The root of bitterness has been chopped down, replaced with a spring of living water Christ promised would overflow into eternal life (John 4).

The New Living Translation puts the warning this way: “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Our salvation depends on it.

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