What does it mean to be ROOTED?

Colossians 2:6-7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

I come from a long line of farmers and gardeners.  I don’t know that the green thumb was necessarily passed down to me. However; I was recently given several Amaryllis bulbs.  They are very beautiful when in bloom and make quite the statement with their vivid color set on top of a heavy green stalk. I relish the thought of having them in my garden or perhaps have one potted to enjoy through the soon approaching Christmas season.

Looking at the bulb you would never imagine that something so beautiful could come from something so unimpressive.  The bulb is basically a form without much shape or color.  But when planted in the right soil, with the right temperature, light and water then a miraculous transformation takes place!

We too are much like that bulb in our Christian faith.  Our faith in Jesus is the essence of who we are as believers.  And faith must be rooted in Him.  Our faith, so precious must be nurtured and cared for.  Something with the capacity of yielding such a great reward is worthy of our greatest attention.

Think about it today.  Are you submitting yourself to the process of being rooted?

Are you allowing yourself to be immersed in his presence daily?  His spirit is like water to our thirsty soul (Psalm 63: 1-4).  Are you feasting on His Word?  His Word is a lamp unto our feet and light to our path. (Psalm 119:105)  What kind of soil are you surrounded with?  I am told that it is possible to grow an amaryllis in rock as long as it has water.  But, the drawback to this method is that when it begins to grow it will not have the continuity to stand, and most likely will fall or droop.  Our foundation must be none other than Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:20 says this:

 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in who the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

To be successful in your walk today, ensure that you are allowing yourself to be rooted in the life-giver.  He will produce for you abundant life as you go deep with Him.  He is waiting on you today.  His desire is for you.  Will you desire Him? Will you be rooted?

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that as I have received Christ, so I will walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him.  I confess to you any tendency I have to hold on to anything that would hinder my walk with you.  Let my roots be established in the truth of your Word and in the power of your Holy Spirit.  Let me be transformed daily, more and more into your image. 

What Path Will You Choose?

Perhaps one of the most well-known and quoted poems  is Robert Frosts poetic verse The Road Not Taken. 

The writer describes coming upon two roads in a wooded forest and his observation of the differences in the two and the choice he has to walk one or the other.  I’m struck by how much his vision is involved in this process.  

Every day as living beings we are faced with choices and decisions.  Options if you will.  In today’s culture those choices can flood our existence through a deluge of digital and media settings.  In Robert Frost’s poetic rendition of choice he has the opportunity to ponder his decision in a quiet tranquil setting.  We most often are not given that luxury of time where with to make those choices.  The pressure is on to make a decision and to make it fast.  The temptation is to go with our vision.  What looks good, what sounds right, what is easiest, what is most gratifying and satisfying?  What is reasonable and practical?  What will bring the quickest return on our investment? 

So that brings us to a question.  What is influencing your vision?  Colossians 2:6-7 says this:

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

This verse is immediately followed by this warning, Colossians 2:8

BEWARE lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

I’m pretty sure none of us “want” to make bad decisions, and end up looking foolish and living in regret.  But often we do.  And the simple reason is because we have not taken the measures to become established, rooted and built up in Him.  Because of that our faith is weak and we are incapable of making wise decisions based on the Word of God.

As a child our family didn’t go on a summer road trip without the infamous Rand McNally road map.  I question if we have lost the art of reading maps since we have the digital ease of relying on google maps to lead the way.  I have been led astray by this method on more than one occasion.  The lesson here, the MAP matters! Knowing how to follow its detours, scenic pathways and interstates is crucial to arriving at the desired destination. 

The Greek word for walk in Colossians 2:6 is peripateo, Strong’s #4043 says this: To walk around, move about; live one’s life.  For us to “walk out” our life in success we must become intimately acquainted with the walk of Christ, we must have the Word of God (our road map) inscribed on our heart.  If not, the world with its influences, opinions, and resolutions will creep into our existence and lead us astray.  We will be deceived!  Your walk matters!

The last verse of Robert Frost’s poem says this:

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 The decisions you make today will determine your tomorrow.  Let’s determine in our hearts to know Him more intimately.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that as I have received Christ, so I will walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as I have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.