So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2: 6-8
From 2006 to 2008, we lived in one of the most beautiful and interesting places. There, the language, food, and culture are Italian, but the country is Switzerland. I fondly called it “Switzaly”. Our home away from home sat at the very top of a hill overlooking Lake Lugano and right next door to an old, tree-filled park.
One day, I heard several men’s voices in the park yelling at each other in Italian. Then, a little later I heard a helicopter overhead coming and going again and again. Of course, it roused my curiosity, so I walked out into my front garden, looked up and saw a gigantic tree hanging from long cables and being flown away to who knows where. Over the course of the afternoon, four such trees disappeared from our park. I’m sure I’ll never know why.
When I took my dog for a walk the next day, I was surprised to see the huge stubby trunks of those trees still there; their gigantic old roots still deeply embedded in the surrounding earth. They could chop their tops off, but the roots remained as solid as ever. It likely took those trees many decades to grow that big and strong and it would take some serious effort to move them now.
It made me think about my “faith roots” and ask myself, “How strong and deep is my faith and trust in God and His promises?” I wondered if my roots are well established enough to allow me to weather any storm of life God allows to cross my path. I want to be certain that no matter what comes my way, I will “not be greatly shaken” as David says in Psalm 62:5.6
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Those are the kind of roots the Lord wants us to have. But, like newly planted saplings; it takes time to grow strong, deep roots. We need the instruction and fellowship of more mature believers to protect us until we are mature and have roots so deep and strong that they hold strong even in the most challenging calamities. I experienced the deep peace of deep roots over the past several years facing off my daughter’s stage three breast cancer and some other very difficult family issues.
Interestingly, three of the four trees that were removed had intertwined roots. It was difficult to tell which root belonged to which tree. That is how we need to be rooted to Christ and to each other. It is what strengthens us for the journey of life. God has given us all we need to be “rooted, built up and strengthened” in our faith. If we keep our eyes on Christ, our mind in his word and our heart connected in love to both God and others, we can indeed become unshakeable.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I need and want to be deeply rooted in you, built up and strong for this journey. I know that I need to male time to sit quietly with you and soak in your word each day. I want this to be my greatest priority and yet some days life just gets in the way. Please help me to find quiet moments in each day to connect meaningfully with you. Help me choose the best from all the good so that I will overflow with thankfulness in my heart for you and all you have done. In Jesus name. Amen.
