Be Rooted in Christ!
Springtime signals a quiet but powerful transition. The cold of winter begins to dissipate, the sun shines longer, daylight hours increase, seeds buried in the soil begin their unseen work of germination and what once looked barren now shows signs of fresh life. Without speaking a word, spring delivers a message: growth is possible after stillness, and life can emerge where things once seemed still.
This change in season provides a meaningful picture of the Christian journey. Scripture often turns to agricultural imagery to explain our connection with Christ. In the Parable of the Sower, (Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23; Mark 4:1-20; and Luke 8:4-15), Jesus portrays the heart as soil, the Word as seed and growth as the result of a receptive spirit.
The apostle Paul echoes this theme when he urges believers to continue their lives in Christ, “rooted and built up in Him,” (Colossians 2:6-7).
And perhaps the most familiar image comes from Jesus’ own words, when he said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing,” John 15:5 (KJV).
Healthy roots naturally lead to healthy growth. A well-rooted plant doesn’t struggle to grow. Growth is its normal outcome. In the same way, our lives must be firmly rooted in Christ if we expect spiritual growth. Once planted in Him, these roots require care. They are strengthened through the steady fertilization of Scripture and refreshed through a daily watering of prayer. These spiritual disciplines stabilize, feed and sustain the Christian, resulting in signs of spiritual growth.
Scripture and prayer matter because depth matters. Any gardener will tell you that roots must reach deep to find moisture in dry conditions. Likewise, Christians must sink deep in Christ to stand firm through life’s tests, trials and tribulations. Faith that lacks depth may appear adequate in comfortable seasons, but it struggles when life’s challenges come. Springtime teaches that what’s visible above the ground is supported by what’s developed beneath it.
Please don’t confuse spiritual growth with spiritual activity. A person can be busy in spiritual things, yet not spiritually growing. Put simply, one can have a lot of motion but no movement. True spiritual growth is measured by Christlike maturity, not by a full schedule of religious activity. One may serve diligently in the church and still remain spiritually unchanged with no growth. Authentic growth comes from remaining in Christ by studying His Word and speaking with Him daily, not merely working around Him.
Spring won’t last forever, but the growth it produces can. The invitation of this season isn’t just to admire new life, but to experience new life within us. When we’re rooted and growing in Christ, every season reveals that He is the source of true and lasting life.
By Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min.
President
