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 NLT

Awhile back I got really into gardening. Now I’ve never been interested in gardening in the past and really had no clue what I was doing, but it struck me as something that could be good and healthy to try. It seemed calming and peaceful to spend time with my hands in the soil surrounded by lush plants and flowers. Also, I had heard that spending time outdoors can be healing to the soul, so I went all in. And let me tell you, it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. As someone who has never given much thought to gardening, I had no clue how to keep a plant alive, let alone a whole garden. So, suffice it to say, I killed more plants than I care to admit. But after a while, the more I learned the more my plants began to thrive. The rate that the others were wilting began to decline and my confidence grew as I gained knowledge.

One of the biggest lessons I learned with just about every single plant I encountered was about the importance of a deep root system and how they function to give life to the plants. If the roots aren’t healthy it shows on the plant; it might not flower, it may wilt, or it may even rot. The health of the roots is what gives an indication of how healthy the plant is. And just like the plants God created, this is the same for us. The more we are deeply connected to the One who gives us life, the more it will show on the outside.

So I ask, how is your root system? Do you have deep roots of faith that branch out and spread to all areas of your life, or are your roots very surface level and not able to reach all the life-giving nutrients that you need? When we adjust our focus, change directions from concentrating on temporary concerns, and shift focus to eternal life with Christ, our roots spread. When we spend more time in prayer and praise to God than in worries and wonderings of our own lives, our root systems and foundation are more steady and secure for the trials of life. When the winds blow and the storms come, instead of bending and breaking, our solid sturdy root structure in Him will keep us secure.