“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow 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.” Colossians 2:6-7
It is said that the strength of a tree is found in the strength of it’s roots. The bigger the tree, the deeper and wider the roots of that tree have to be to support that tree. For this tree to have fully developed roots, it’s important that the tree get the right amount of water and be planted in the right spot for maximum growth. A tree can look healthy from an outward appearance, but sometimes all it takes is one good storm to reveal how weak the roots were, by blowing the tree over.
Just like the tree, it’s important that I have strong roots also. Accepting Christ is just the beginning process of my growth as a Christ follower. For me to have fully developed roots, these 2 things are very important:
- That I am feeding on the right thing!
What do I think about? What do I read? What do I listen too? What do I watch? What do I talk about? All of these impact what I become. If I want to have strong roots, I have to begin feeding on the right things. If I am not reading Gods Word, meditating (thinking) about how to apply what it says, listening to the right voices, looking at the right things, and talking about the right stuff, I’m not allowing my roots to develop in a way that can sustain my life when a storm comes. I am not saying this to be legalistic, I am simply stating that these things are important for your growth. They impact you in ways you may not realize, and lets be honest, sometimes they impact us in ways we try to hide or deny!
- That I am being planted in the right spot!
Who do you hang out with? Where do you spend your time? I’m sure the list can go on! But for me, I’ve learned that these to things have the greatest impact on me. When I am around negative people, I become negative. When I am around positive people, I can be positive. Because my surroundings impact me so much I have to make sure my surroundings enhance my growth not inhibit my growth. This is difficult, but very important. Think about how many times you’ve been caught in the moment, or in the wrong place at the wrong time. If it wasn’t your idea, then it was someones idea and they convinced you to go a long with it! So don’t overlook this! Being planted in the right spot is vitally important and gives your roots the ability to grow to the depth and width needed in order for you to sustain and endure the storms of life.
Father today, help me to follow you WHEREVER you lead. I want to focus on the right things and make sure I am being planted in the right spots. Give me the confidence and the power to do the hard things so that I continue to grow in the things that are seen and in the things that are unseen! It’s in Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
When you read Colossians 2 what speaks to you?
Dan Gould 