Devotional: Rooted in Christ

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love. (Ephesians 3:17–18)

Roots Provide Nourishment & Stability

Roots provide nourishment for a tree by drawing water and nutrients from the soil and delivering these nutrients to the fruit-bearing parts of the tree above ground. Even during a drought, the tree’s roots will burrow deep into the earth, into hard-to-reach places, to seek out moisture so that the tree may continue bearing fruit.

Roots also provide stability and strength to keep a tree planted firmly in the soil. This steadfast footing comes in handy and prevents the tree from being uprooted when buffeted by storms and high winds.

Be Rooted In Christ for Nourishment and Stability

We ourselves are to be rooted in Christ and His love, the only true source of nourishment for our souls (Colossians 2:6–7). We build strength of character and steadfastness of faith to weather the storms of life by learning of Him (Ephesians 3:17–19) through study and prayer and by following His example in serving others (Philippians 2:3–8; 1 John 3:16).

So make yourself a student of God’s Word. But keep in mind that the Bible is not a weapon to beat people over the head with. Beware the trap of the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Remember the old maxim that no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

Love your neighbor as yourself. But the greatest commandment is to love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind. And Jesus is God incarnate, the living Word. So get to know Him and plant yourself firmly in Him. Be rooted in Christ and grounded in His wondrous love.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for Jesus, the root of Jesse, who humbled Himself and took on flesh to live among us (Romans 15:12). I praise your name and thank you that Gentiles have a hope of heaven because of His obedience. May I be rooted in Christ and nourished by the very Word of God so that I may effectively share His love and our hope in Christ with others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!

Davis Carman
© 2017 Davis Carman
Apologia.com

Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science and Bible curriculum. He is the author of four illustrated children’s books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now!
Davis’s four books include: Good Morning, God, based on Deuteronomy 6, A Light for My Path, an ABC book based on Psalm 119, In the Beginning, based on the Creation account in Genesis, and Psalms to Know Early.

If you enjoyed this devotional by Davis Carman, enjoy reading his devotional entitled Selah! A Devotional About Resting in Him.