Sitting on the back porch drinking tea with my friends in Warsaw, MO brought out a conversation about the land that is directly adjacent to their property. It is a beautiful piece of land with wheat that is thigh high. In the distance you can see an old dilapatated barn and a horse trailer. From a distance it looks like someone had a farming situation that brought them great enjoyment in years past. At least that is what I thought as I gazed out over the field on which I was looking.

Little did I know that the story I was creating in my head was true in the past but the reality behind the story was quite different. My friends told me that the man who owned this land, barn and horse trailer died rather abruptly of a heart attack and ever since his death this land has just remained in its current state. No one has come to do anything with the many pieces of farm equipment in the barn nor the what was once a brand new horse trailer. I was informed the wife will not allow anyone to do anything with this property or these possessions. Not the children, not the city, no one, she herself is doing nothing with it, just sitting on it.

I listened to this story and I sensed a root of bitterness is in operation here. I am not saying I am correct, I have no idea who the woman is, but hearing the story triggered Hebrews 12:14-15 inside of me. “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many are defiled.” I was thinking about this early this morning while out walking and the Holy Spirit said, the devil is a destroyer. The devil destroys relationships, destroys us, destroy our property and our prosperity.

I may never meet this woman or the children who may inherit this beautiful land and the possessions on it, but what I do know is that I never want to let any root of bitterness grow in me, so I sit on something because it has taken root in me and now I can’t let it go, whatever it may be. My friends, Let it go, so no root may grow that causes you to hang on to something you don’t want.