Reflection: A Root of Bitterness

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Heb. 12:15). It’s disturbing the way God startles you into looking at something you’ve been busy not seeing. I’ve read through Hebrews many times and noted the phrase “root of bitterness.” I’ve even looked up the Greek words to see if their meaning would add insight. What they mean is, root of bitterness. All right, then, nothing to see here. I don’t have one of those. What brought me around to rethink this was a recent reading of Hebrews 12:1; “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”