A few weeks ago someone posted on a
popular multi-media site a picture an uprooted tree in someone’s yard. It was a rather large old tree. I’m sure it had been there for many
years. The tree had such a large network
of roots that it pulled the lawn up with it as if the grass were a carpet or a
blanket being pulled back to show what was underneath.
Many posted comments that the picture was
photo shopped and therefore not real. Others disagreed. I have no way of knowing. I realize some pictures aren’t real. That goes back to the old saying, “Don’t
believe everything you see.” Of course,
the same thing goes for what you hear. People
have been involved in hoaxes almost since we were created.
Whether or not the picture was real was of
little importance to me. It was the
large network of roots that interested me.
One of my friends commented there had to be a “Bible lesson in this
somewhere.” Almost immediately one of
my favorite passages came to mind.
Ephesians 3:16-18 – “I pray that out of His
glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your
inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and
established in love,” (NIV)
This passage gives me such comfort. It speaks of God’s power in our inner
being. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is
that Christ will dwell in their hearts.
He longs for them to be rooted and established in love (grounded –KJV and
ESV). As Christians, we should always
keep Christ in our hearts. Love is the
key. Being rooted and grounded in the
love of Christ will bring us untold riches.
Is it our faith that keeps us rooted and
grounded in the love of Christ – or does being rooted and grounded in His love
give us our faith? It seems they are so
closely entwined it may be difficult to determine the precise answer to this
question. Having a deep faith in our God
guides us through times of troubles and keeps us from sin when we are
tempted.
As Christians, we have no doubt that
staying in step with God brings abundant blessings our way. I’m reminded of Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers. But his delight is in the
law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Doesn’t this passage paint a beautiful
picture? I imagine a grand old tree
planted by the stream of the living water of the word of Christ. A grand and wonderful tree that bears fruit
and whose leaves never die.
Do you want God to prosper you? Delight in His law. Follow Him.
Love and obey Him. Meditate on the word of God to know how He
would have you to live and you will soon find yourself planted by that living stream
rooted and grounded in His love.
Robin
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