Roots....
Without deep and wide roots a plant is sure to die. Paul addresses a really important issue... GROWTH! I believe one the most crucial issues in today's society is lack of deep and wide roots in Jesus.
"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. " Col 2:6-7
Paul hits on some important points that cause major growth into our lives.
1. Are you following JESUS? It is vital to believe in Jesus and accept Him into your heart, but you also must follow Him. Years back this would have been a concept difficult to explain, but with the invention of social media and the idea of 'following/followers' we can grasp it. On most social networks, when someone follows a page, it means they receive updates about the page in their news feed. We follow a lot of people, most of who are not even worth following. These people have done nothing for us and many don’t even know we exist. But Jesus knows us and He died for us. Following Jesus is worth it. The Bible says that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. This means that even though we did things that would drive anyone away from us, Jesus didn’t forsake us or ditch us. He DIED for us. Following Jesus is worth it.
2. How deep are your roots? In my early years, I was never good at growing things. In fact, most of my plants died. The most valuable lesson I learned was that plants require attention and care. Our relationship with Jesus requires attention and care. As we follow Jesus we are making room for our roots to grow. Without deep and wide roots, a plant is sure to die. Roots are vital so that plants can absorb water and nutrients from soil. Growing in Jesus is our goal. Our hearts are the soil. The seed is the word of God. Reading the Bible, fasting, praying, and going to church are all things that become the nutrients and water for our souls. These help the roots of salvation grow strong in our lives. That seed then becomes fruitful.
3. Are you building your life ON Him? Sometimes that seed becomes so fruitful that we outgrow our space. I was given a beautiful flower in the form of a bulb. At this moment, it is in a small tin can, but eventually the roots grow and the plant has to be relocated to a place that affords it more growth. As I spend with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life, my roots grow. Eventually, I become stronger and stronger and the places I once frequented cannot contain my roots. I have to leave things behind. I have grown out of relationships, places, people, and things so if I don’t find the right place to spread my roots, I run the risk of dying.
4. Is your life overflowing? When your life is built on the right things you overflow with thankfulness. To overflow means you have an extra amount. I will tell you that knowing Jesus and growing my roots deep in Him is more than enough in my life. Just thinking about everything He is to me and all that God has given me makes my heart overflow. Don’t misinterpret what I am saying. I am in no way financially rich, but my heart is rich with love, peace, and joy and this is better than anything money can buy.
When we focus on Jesus, everything else is put in place. I know there are people who say that struggles do not stop when you come to Jesus or that not everything will be perfect; this may be somewhat true because life has its struggles. However, I can say that Jesus makes everything better. The good is even better and He sustains me with His peace and joy when things are bad.
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Grow in Jesus.