Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions

January 24, 2005

Rooted and Built Up

by:

Lydia Pearson

 A recent trip to Death Valley , in Southern California , helped me to understand the importance of deep roots. Over 900 types of plants thrive in an environment where the summer temperature averages 115 degrees. How do they survive? According to the National Park Service, some of the plants have roots that go downward ten times the height of the average person. The lifeline of these plants is 50-60 feet below the ground.

Thriving under harsh conditions is what the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote to the Christians in Colossae . The church was plagued by false teachers, who were scorching the Christians and causing their faith to dry up. Paul urged these believers to remember their roots, "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 & 7 )

In these verses, as well as in Ephesians 3:17 , Paul combined agricultural and architectural images in order to challenge the Colossians to draw strength and stability from their faith in Christ. Like a tree that is deeply rooted in the soil, the Colossians were to remain "planted" in their faith.

As Warren Wiersbe says, "Christians are not spiritual tumbleweeds that have no roots and are blown about by 'every wind of doctrine.' ( Ephesians 4:14 ) Nor are they to be "transplants" that are repeatedly moved from soil to soil." Once we accept Christ as Savior, God's desire is for us to "remain in Him." ( John 15:1-17 )

Just as a tree needs deep roots in order to grow strong, so buildings need deep, solid foundations if they are to remain standing. Both the height of the tree and the building is determined by the depth of its roots and foundation, respectively.

The idea of developing deep spiritual roots is mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments. The book of Psalms begins with a description of the man who delights in the law (Word) of the Lord: "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." (Psalm 1:3) In Jeremiah 17:7 & 8 we read these words: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He 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." Deep spiritual roots are developed by spending time in prayer and Bible study, soaking up God's Word and allowing Him to speak to us.

I've been told that plants experience greater growth under adverse conditions than under pleasant conditions. I believe the same is true in our Christian life. I know it's true for me. Sometimes God allows us to experience 'desert conditions' in order to cause our faith to grow. Our journey through the desert may seem endless, however, we can survive, and even thrive, as we tap into the deep reservoir of spiritual nourishment that lies beneath the surface of our lives.

As we are strengthened in our faith we will overflow with thankfulness to God for His sustaining power and faithfulness. When those desert winds start to blow and there's no water in sight, remember Paul's words to the Colossians and send your roots of faith deep into Christ our Lord.