Deep roots
"Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving." Colossians 2 : 6 - 7 (GNB) |
If you are trying to grow a healthy tree, a tree that will grow tall and produce fruit year after year, it is important for it to have good roots. The roots provide several functions that are key to its ongoing survival.
Firstly the roots provide most of the water and nutrients for the plant. Roots that are well developed will burrow deep into the Earth. Here they can access water long after the rains have passed and the surface has dried out.
Also the roots provide some anchorage. They keep the tree standing tall, even when the wind gets up and is howling through the forest.
Our passage uses the trees roots to explain our relationship with Jesus. Like a tree our roots, our relationship can also be shallow or deep. The depth that they grow is up to us and is influenced by the decisions that we make.
Although shallow roots are fine to begin with, their limitations will start to appear quite quickly. Without deep roots in Jesus you risk your faith wilting when life gets more demanding. Similarly without a deep root to offer you support you risk being uprooted or knocked over when bad things hit you like a fierce storm.
So how do you deepen your roots? You do it through relationship. Relationship with Jesus directly, by reading the Bible and prayer. Also through relationship with other followers of God. You can do this by getting more involved at church, joining a small group and spending time with your Christian friends. Strengthening both of these types of relationships will help you grow deep strong roots.
How deep are your roots in your relationship with Jesus? What change are you going to make to grow your roots deeper in him? Have a great week.
This week's song is Freefall by Royal Tailor. |
Header image by: Tim Green via Flickr