“Rooted”
“ 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 (New International Version)
As I sit before my computer, we are just a couple of weeks away from Youth Frontier Camp at Cragmont Assembly in Black Mountain, the very retreat center which was recognized as our June OFWB “Ministry of the Month.” The last time I was in Black Mountain the circumstances were quite different as volunteers assembled to aid in relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. For decades, Cragmont has been home to children and youth camps, ministers’ conferences, women’s retreats, church family weekends, and many other gatherings. For those who have traveled winding North Fork Road seeking a place of rest and recreation, the experiences have indeed been high and holy. In a literal sense, it offers a “mountain-top experience” for children, youth, and adults, and, for those who are in tune, a particular closeness with God. As Psalm 121 begins (which has come to be known as the “Cragmont Psalm”), “I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and earth.”
Now, I am not going to provide you with a history of one of our beloved denominational works, but I do want to take you along (albeit briefly) to camp. I cannot possibly load all of you into a chartered bus and provide lodging for four nights, but I can offer you a preview of “coming attractions.” In recent years, all of the camp weeks have utilized a common theme which differs from the many years each set of directors would develop a unique theme tailored to their particular week. For this summer, our focus will be “Rooted” which was born out of the verse found at the top of the page and seems appropriate due to the growing season in which we find ourselves.
I love the plant, tree, fruit, etc. imagery we find throughout Scripture to describe the growth and output of our faith journey. Jesus encouraged the development of good fruit in surplus amounts. The Psalmist considered the obedient life to be like a tree planted near a water source. Isaiah spoke of God’s people as if they were a vineyard which was intended to produce a harvest. In Colossians 2, the Apostle Paul was addressing a group of Christians in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), a people with whom it appears he may not have had the closest of ties. In verse 1, Paul speaks of contending for others including those whom he may not have met personally. Regardless, his words are those of encouragement which include wishes for a unified spirit and for wisdom to avoid clever-sounding arguments.
In order for the latter to happen, the Christians of Colosse would need to be “rooted” in Christ. When you and I think of being rooted, we usually mean something is anchored in such a way that it cannot topple when pressure is applied. Consider an oak tree that has stood for years and years. As impressive as the tree might be above the ground, what is unseen (the root structure) supplies the nourishment and support the tree needs to survive. The horizontal spread of the roots often extends three times the width of the tree’s canopy and in some instances may be even broader.
Paul knew there were rival messages spreading about in addition to the Gospel he had been proclaiming. Some were mixed with Jewish regulations and others with popular philosophies of the day. Some may have looked and sounded relatively close to that concerning Jesus Christ, but beneath the surface lacked substance. If the Colossians were to avoid succumbing to the alternative messages, they needed to be rooted in Christ. To be rooted in Christ is like a plant or tree with a strong root structure that has gone down into rich soil giving stability and nourishment for the long term. Unfortunately, many people seek alternative sources upon which to base their lives or into which to place their roots.
I challenge you to take a moment to think about those places/things into which people (including ourselves) may try to put down roots. For some, it may be their retirement plan. For others, it could be a spouse or significant other. For still others, it might be some form of recreation. These people and things may offer a short-lived sense of security and strength for the difficulties of life, but, in all honesty, are too “shallow” or “weak” to last very long. I compare it to trying to set out a non-aquatic/non-floating plant in water. Yes, the plant will get plenty of hydration which is vitally important, but there is nothing to keep its body in place. Soon enough it will drown and/or float away.
Being rooted in Christ is an ongoing process and a decision which we must be intentional with each day. It is not automatic simply because we go to church or read the Bible from time to time. It is a conscious decision which becomes more natural with time and experience. Will we be tempted to pull away? Certainly, but we do not have to. My encouragement for you is to “dig in” and do not allow yourself to be swayed from the Gospel. Ask yourself if what you are doing is pulling you deeper into Christ or is it like a shovel that is digging you up?
Rooted Together,
The Reverend Kelley Smart