For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:14-17)

Rooted In Christ

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, some of the largest trees in the world grow. The huge sequoias tower almost 300 feet into the sky. The largest tree, called General Sherman, has a circumference of 102.6 feet at its base and a height of 274.9 feet. Botanists now know that some of the biggest sequoias are almost 4,000 years old – which means that at the time of Jesus, they were already more than 100 feet tall. But even these giants wouldn’t be able to stand against the California winds without a strong root system. Not only do their roots sink into the soil, but they also intertwine around the roots of other trees.

When God created Adam, He knew it was not good for man to be alone. Eve was created, and the family was established. Soon, the world was filled with the offspring of Adam and Eve. People need other people. God did not create humanity to depend on itself but to embrace a community and a nation. When the Lord confused the language of the people at Babel, He created the national footprint of the world where communities were established and formed. The stronger the bond between the citizens, the stronger the nation. Communities that banded together as one had more strength.

In the animal kingdom, the principle of protecting one another is seen in how animals band together to defend the defenseless. Chimpanzees, elephants, otters, and dolphins are a few species that work together to protect one another. The sequoia trees illustrate how strength comes not only from establishing a deep root system but also from tying that root system to other trees. Humans would learn well from the giant trees how to rely on others for protection, encouragement, and unity.

Too many people want to go their own way, do their own thing, and be an individual. One of the qualities God created when He established the church was the need for a community of brotherhood. The scriptures refer to those of like precious faith bonding together for a common cause. Jesus established His church as a community where everyone cares for one another, keeping them strong in the face of trials. A strong church comes from strong arms embracing others to put a united face against the wiles of the devil.

Homes must have a strong base where husbands and wives are embraced in their love for God. Parents must be united together in the word of God, teaching their children to be enraptured by the grace of God. A family united in God is a family at peace. It takes effort and it takes work. God has given His word to show the world how to establish a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. When the storms of life come, trees rooted deep and intertwined with others will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. Having deep roots in Jesus Christ will guarantee the hope of the promise God gives to encircle His people. Let Christ dwell in the heart through faith. Be rooted and grounded in love.