I saw a picture similar to this the other day my wife posted. As you can see, it is of two cartoon rabbits holding onto the tops of their carrots still in the dirt. One stood proud, holding onto the tall, luscious green fronds of a tiny carrot barely hidden beneath the soil. The other stood humble next to an insignificant-looking green leaf but underneath lay an enormous carrot just waiting to be pulled out.
My wife commented about the picture, stating, “Folks, be wary of those who openly flaunt all their material success. Things are not always what they appear to be on the outside.” Then I thought, what an intriguing illustration. Most people look at what is on the outside when looking at others and completely ignore what is underneath the surface. They do not look deeper into what is on the inside or what kind of person they may be because it is what resides below the surface that matters. Are they kind or mean? Are they friendly or arrogant? Do they show everyone respect or disregard everyone they believe is below them?
Let’s look at an analogy between gardening and a person’s character. I have done my fair share of gardening and have had this same problem with carrots with gigantic tops. When it came time to harvest them and pull them from the ground, I discovered that the carrot was so tiny it was virtually useless. From what I could see after harvest, it seemed incredible that the plant could grow so well the whole season and looked so green and healthy. But when harvested, the root was hardly even there.
For a farmer, this can be a severe problem, as he depends on his harvest for food and provision. Suppose he plants a good seed and has nothing at harvest to show for his hard work of watering and weeding his land; then, all that work will be wasted. In my case, I had to figure out why this was happening, and what I found in my research was that the culprit was the soil.
Suppose you plant a carrot seed in hard and unyielding soil, or the soil does not have the proper nutrients or fertilizer for growing a healthy carrot. In that case, it can cause an undeveloped root. It can result in healthy growth in the top that looks lush and green, but the essential part that resides under the surface is stunted and will not grow into a good healthy carrot, good for food or purchase.
Let’s take this lesson and apply it to life. There are many people who, from the outside, look like they have it all. They dress and look like they have everything figured out. They seem happy and content with the success they have made for themselves. But in their heart, they are alone, hurting, desperate, and insecure despite what they have accomplished or what they appear to be on the outside.
The problem is the soil, or what is in their heart and soul. When pride, arrogance, greed, self-centeredness, and deception are the nutrients of their being, the result is a glamorous exterior that hides a crippled root beneath that is not only useless but also has a character that is completely lacking compassion, love, or care for others.
On the contrary, a healthy amount of soft, fertile soil with balanced nutrients and moisture causes a carrot to grow large and possess a sweet flavor. The heart is like the soil of a person. It has to be pure, healthy, soft, and free of all of the sinful filth that comes from this world and the deception of Satan to produce sound and helpful fruit for those who could benefit from that person’s character.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
If you have never heard, Jesus Christ is the solution to an impure, sick, and corrupt heart. You may not even realize that you have a heart problem. But the Lord says every evil thing, such as lies, theft, deceit, greed, cheating, jealousy, and anything unrighteous, comes from the heart and the deception of Satan.
Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” Matthew 15:19
Consider what is in your heart. What comes to the surface of your character comes from the heart, depending on the soil you are growing in. You may not realize it, but Jesus is the solution to a corrupt heart. He wants to purify and clean your soul from everything that is unrighteous. He died and rose again so that you may be purified from your sins.
Jesus has such an excellent plan for your personal and spiritual growth. He wants you to be balanced and nurtured in His Word, which will feed your development in Him. He does not wish for you only to have an impressive outer exterior. Still, He wants your life to have true meaning, produce good fruit, and have a substantial and robust root so that you may have a godly character that will impact the world for good and the righteousness of the Lord.
Seek after Jesus Christ that you may have your heart wiped clean from your sins. You can not please God until you repent and turn to follow and obey His commands and will. If you do, you will no longer be stunted in your growth to be a good and godly person who can also help others. It is the Lord that you should be seeking to please and obey. He is the one who can produce good fruit from your heart. He is the one who can free you from all the hurt and suffering you have endured in your life. He loves you and has His arms open wide to love, heal, and accept you into His family.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27
