Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

Colossians 2:6-7

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Regardless of the daily circumstances in our life and around the world today, as followers of Christ, our mission stays the same.  When changes take place around us, we are tempted to think, “now what?” However, Paul reminds us that the answer is simple.  Just continue to follow Jesus!  Paul encouraged the early church not to lose sight of Truth amidst the cultural rhetoric and thought of the day.  We are encouraged to do the same.

Paul instructs the early church to stay encouraged and closely knit together in love, and to not get caught up in worldly thoughts and belief systems, but to stay focused on what matters most, Christ himself(Colossians 2:2). Christians long ago and Christians today have the same foundation and the same mission.  Love God. Love people.  And, regardless of politics, pandemics, or the people of the day, we are called to still do both.  

When our faith in Christ is strong, so is our mission. Paul explains that once we become a Christian, we need to continue following Christ Jesus as our Lord regardless of what comes our way.  In verse 7, Paul says this will look like a faith that is growing strong in truth and overflowing with thankfulness.  But how do we get there? We can’t leave out the first part of the verse.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.

That seems simple enough, but it challenges us every single day.  The “letting” part is hard and is an act of humble surrender.  It requires choosing God over self…choosing God’s way over our way, and choosing His strength over our weakness.

Where do you find your daily strength?  What are you building your life upon today?

Are you nourishing your roots daily with God’s Living Water? 

It is easy to let busyness and distraction get in the way.  It is easy to let the society and its headlines form our foundations.  Paul brings us back to the basics.  Continue to follow Jesus.  

Learn what Jesus taught in His earthly ministry.  Be humbled at Christ’s work on the cross.  Read of God’s promises fulfilled.  Remember what our Lord has already done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the day to come.  This is the soil of Truth that we are invited to grow our tender roots down into; it is a firm foundation.  

Will you LET your roots grow down into him, and LET your lives be built on him? Because if you do, Paul explains, THEN your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, You are our firm foundation.  You are never shaken, even in the midst of our earthly worries and what-ifs. What solid ground I can safely build my life upon! Thank you for your peace and blessed assurance.  Grow my roots down deep in you Jesus, and may thankfulness and joy overflow in my life today.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK: 

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.