by Desiree Bustamante

Let your roots grow down into Christ.

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“Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.”
Matthew 13:5-6 New Living Translation

This amaryllis bulb was planted in very fine, shallow soil. Only two-thirds of the bulb is supposed to be covered with soil and it must not be overwatered, or the bulb will rot instead of grow. Its roots will be rather shallow since the stem will grow over a foot high. When it does bloom it must not be left in the sun or in high heat, or the blooms will fade very quickly. It won’t last long.

We all want the roots of our spiritual life in Christ to be strong. We don’t want to feel spiritually threatened by the evil that surrounds us, the sadness that engulfs us or the hopelessness and despair that can darken our vision of Christ’s light.

We can’t grow on our own and expect our roots to be strong and deep. Only the master gardener, Jesus Christ, can give us the nourishment and growth we need to survive our time in His earthly garden under stormy skies, searing heat and preying insects. Only Christ, through the Holy Spirit and His power, can nourish and protect our roots so that the winds of change and the thunderstorms of life will not cause us to wilt in the face of adversity. Only He can provide quiet cool nights of calm and life-giving streams of living water through conversation, gratitude and dependence on Him.

“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.”
Colossians 2:7 New Living Translation

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado