When we bought our house over eleven years ago, it had a beautiful ornamental pear tree in the front yard. For most of those years we enjoyed the tree mightily, until about four years ago in a storm it cracked and had to be cut the rest of the way down. I grieved for the tree, and so last summer we had two “Autumn Blaze” maple saplings planted, one on each side of the front walk. We’ve been monitoring their health, and hoping for bright red leaves in the fall. John, the man who sold us the trees, insisted that everything depended on the roots taking hold, and so we faithfully watered both trees until they almost drowned. Their leaves turned brown and fell off. John told us that the roots could manage and support healthy trees on less than half of the water we were giving them. I was disappointed, but we examined the branches and the bark and found both trees alive. Now we are waiting for new leaves to appear. It’s impossible to see the roots, but they are the decisive factor in the health and even survival of the trees.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7) To be “rooted in Christ” is one of the strongest themes in the letters of St. Paul. In all his travels and all his trials he urges his converts to remain rooted. It’s through the roots that the trees receive their nourishment and strength. Good soil makes It possiblefor small saplings to reach great heights. Paul encourages his readers to hold fast and dig deeply to keep a foundation for their faith that will withstand and weather the turmoils of everyone’s life.

“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him: if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 11-13)

During Lent we can strengthen our roots in Christ by reading the Bible more frequently than ever,and making a habit of finding a quiet time to be alone with him in prayer. This is where real rest and inspiration occur , where our roots are nourished and our lives strengthened. Jesus himself, when pressed hard in the wilderness, drew upon his time spent with scripture to repel his enemy. Being rooted in Scripture brought him victory over evil. Rootedness in him can bring us victory, too.

Love in Him,

Prue