“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with thankfulness.”
[Colossians 2:6-7]
There are many complicated passages within the letters of Paul, but there are a lot of passages and images that people find real strength in, such as the beautiful words about love from 1 Corinthians 13. This image from Colossians 2 speaks of our lives as a plant, rooted in faith.
If we think about a plant, the roots grow deep into the soil, seeking out water and nutrients, but also anchoring the plant against anything that may try to pull it out of the ground. Paul uses this image to encourage us to be rooted in Christ, seeking him and learning of him, being strengthened by our relationship with Christ.
We also have the image of being built up, overflowing with thankfulness. A plant also grows upwards, growing leaves and flowers, and our life of faith should build us up, be on show, not hidden beneath the earth, and our lives should overflow with thankfulness as a plant blooms with flowers.
There are many hymns about growing in God. One such hymn is ‘May the mind of Christ my Saviour’ by Katie Barclay Wilkinson (Singing the Faith 504), which encourages us to grow in thought, word, love and peace, through our lives with Jesus.
God of all creation
When we were born you planted the seed of who we could one day become;
help us to grow deep roots, anchored in your love, ever seeking knowledge of you.
Nurture us and strengthen us in faith, that we may withstand the trials of this world.
As we grow, help our thankfulness for all you are and all you have done for us
blossom in visible ways,
that all the world may see and want to know your love.
Amen
Image: photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
Prayers for June 2019 by Revd Claire Rawlinson
You can download this Prayer for the Week here
