Do you want to root for success? Here's the route map

Uni-verse 250/10,000 For better through verse
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper


Without an intimate connection with God, all mankind including the richest, the most beautiful, the greatest, are like the grass that withers in a short time or like flowers that fade overnight. The allusion is that common people are like the grass and the elite, the achievers, the glamourous, the affluent are like the flowers. Everything is in vain.

But, when we are grafted on to ‘the root of Jesse’, Jesus we are each and collectively like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water, a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Our roots dig deep into the soil of the Word and the sap of nourishment will run up into the stem and branches of our lives, meaning the main purpose and the tertiary aspects of our lives. We will bear fruit, a different fruit in every month of the year to meet different needs. Even our leaves will not wither, meaning even our thoughts, desires and words will not be in vain. Our thoughts and words will bring healing to the nations. Our thoughts and words will find fruition in actions and deeds. Nothing is in vain, even our failures.

Whatever we do will prosper. I found this true in my life: soon after I committed my life to Christ in 1979, I began to succeed in whatever I did: became the first ever to secure both the First Rank in the state and the National Talent Search scholarship in the space of a few months in 1980. In 1993, became the first police officer in the world to start the Friends of Police movement to empower ordinary citizens to partner with the police. In 1997, became the first civil servant to be selected for the British Gurukul Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership. In 2002, became one out of two to be awarded the inaugural Queen’s Award for Innovation in Police Training and Development. ALL for the greater glory of God. As the Psalmist said, “ Unto Him and unto Him alone be the glory.” People who knew me began to wonder how did this very ordinary or mediocre guy suddenly become extraordinary. The Lord told me the secret, “ You were neither very intelligent nor wise nor smart before you began to lean on me.” If you want to root for success, the route is Jesus.

Prateep V Philip