Rooted and Grounded in Love
Ephesians 3:16,17 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (NRSV)
Too many people who call themselves Christians are like, well, they’re like stunted trees with a shallow root system. When the storm comes, it’ll rip them up and blow them away. What they really need is a root system that grows deep and wide in the love of God.
For a tree to reach its full potential, it has to put its roots down in good soil, going ever deeper and further out in search of water and food. The great and mighty roots of a large tree go right down to become tiny little white capillaries that nestle between the grains of the earth drinking in its goodness.
But as those roots grow deep and wide, something else happens. Not only can they now feed the tree, making it grow strong and lush, bearing fruit in its season, but the roots grip the earth like a vice.
So not only is the tree rooted so that it can feed itself, it’s also grounded, safe and secure, for when those terrible storms hit.
That’s the picture that the Apostle Paul is drawing on as he calls us to be rooted and grounded in God’s love.
Ephesians 3:16,17 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (NRSV)
It’s only when we’re rooted and ground in God’s love that we can grow. It’s only when we’re rooted and grounded in God’s love that we’re secure. It’s only when we’re rooted and grounded in God’s love that we can bear good fruit.
What a pity there are so many stunted trees in the orchard, with shallow root systems. When the storm comes, it’ll rip them up and blow them away.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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