Rooted in Christ
Scripture Reading — Colossians 2:6-8
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him ... Colossians 2:6-7
Youth minister and author Mike Yaconelli wrote, "The death of a soul is never quick. It is always a slow dying, a succession of little deaths that continues until we wake up one day on the edge of God's voice, beyond the adventure of God's claim on our lives. People can mimic aliveness even though they are lost, confused, thirsty, soul-weary, bone tired, and nearly dead."
Because we are all prone to wander and thus to toy with death, Paul tells us "to continue to live in [Christ Jesus]." Each day again we must hand over to Christ the reins of our lives and submit our agendas to him.
Paul also tells us to be rooted in Christ. Roots serve two important functions. They give a tree stability, enabling it to stand in fierce storms, and they provide nutrients from the soil.
Church worship services are one place for rich nutrients. But roots need more than pockets of good soil. A spiritually healthy root system will find nourishment in the ordinary. After all, God's goodness is there. All that is good is God's gift to us, and it exists to make God known to us. John Calvin made the observation that "there is no blade of grass, there is no color in this world, that is not intended for us to rejoice."
Our lives are to be deeply rooted in Christ so that we may stand firm and bear much fruit.
Lord Jesus, may we not wander from you today. May all our thoughts be subject to you, and may all our decisions be pleasing to you. May we be deeply rooted in you. Amen.
About the author — Jack Roeda
Rev. Jack Roeda is the senior pastor at Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an adjunct professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is married to Carol Sue Kok, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Pastor Roeda has served two previous churches: Exeter (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church and Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan.
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