Rooted in Love ... Together
By Carolyn Grossnickle, Deacon
One of my favorite places in the world is Muir Woods National Monument, home to the breathtaking coastal redwoods that grow to immense heights. The largest tree in Muir Woods is around 258 feet tall, which is about 45 times as tall as a 6-foot person! Each time I visit the Bay Area in Northern California, I make time to walk through these majestic redwoods---truly a place of peace and wonder.
At first glance these trees seem unshakable, so I was astounded to learn that a single coastal redwood is incredibly vulnerable—since the roots supporting these gigantic trees grow to a depth of only 10-13 feet. But the redwoods manage this vulnerability by sending their roots out 60-80 feet to intertwine with the roots of surrounding trees. Some even grow up together, in a ring, a sort of family or community circle. Standing, rooted together, supporting each other, the trees grow to their fullest potential—and can flourish in this way for 600-800 years! They are certainly awe-inspiring, reminding us to recall the goodness and creativity of God.
As Jesus followers, we are also meant to grow and live with others in order to receive full healing and live into the lives of purpose, beauty, and adventure to which Christ has called us.
In Ephesians 3:15-19 Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus:
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Interestingly, the Greek words translated ‘you’ in Paul’s prayer are actually plural. He prays that ‘you all’ be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, rooted and stabilized in Christ’s love, and filled with God’s goodness and hope. Alone, I often feel vulnerable to wind or storms, but when I am connected, with my roots intertwined with those of others, I am reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness. When we are rooted in Christ and standing with each other, we encourage each other to trust God and, like the coastal redwoods of Muir Woods, reflect God’s goodness, love, and hope to those around us.
Are you connected to believers who will stand with you in the good and trying times, and point you toward Christ? Do you have opportunities to support and encourage others?
What is one step you might take this week to connect with others? Perhaps reaching out to a trusted friend? Or maybe trying out a small group (like Rooted), or an online connect group?
Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for inviting us to know Your love, Your forgiveness, and Your freedom. Thank You for inviting us to live out our faith connected to and rooted with each other. We ask, through the Holy Spirit, that You would give us wisdom and courage. Please help us take steps to connect with one another in new ways. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
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