We’ll be discussing roots here — but not in the context you might think. Rather, we’ll be addressing the necessity and benefits of being rooted in Christ.
Colossians 2:6-7 says: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in 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.”
Growth is the process of development and maturing, and in this passage, it refers to the progress of the kingdom of God and the spiritual development of his believers. In the Bible, scripture uses examples and images of growth, such as seeds, plants and infants, to explain the dynamic nature of our personal faith and the kingdom of God.
The use of plants and roots in these instances is symbolic of our connection to Christ and the necessity and advantages of being rooted in him, as well as what happens if we’re not.
Roots are essential for plants to live, and similarly, being rooted in Christ is necessary for having a healthy spiritual life and, in turn, living life to the fullest. Just as plants flourish or perish depending on the health of their roots, we exhibit Christ-like qualities when we are rooted in him.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Now we understand a plant that is not rooted in its life source eventually will wither and die. This metaphor of vegetation with no root system demonstrates that if we are not rooted in and remain disconnected from Christ, our only life-source, we are more susceptible to life’s issues during turbulent times and could wither and die.
In our spiritual walk, we must be rooted, grounded and grow deeper in our life source so we may stand taller and accomplish what God has called us to do.
I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:16-19).
Robin Killeen is founder of W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom). W.O.W. meets every second Wednesday of the month at noon at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport.
