Rooted in God

Picture a garden for a moment. It could be the one in your backyard or a community plot down the road. Now, think about what thrives there. Are there flowers, vegetables, maybe even some fruit trees? What about weeds? Weeds grow uninvited. They don’t ask permission. They show up, take up space, and compete for nutrients. But intentional plants, those flowers and crops you love, don’t grow by accident. They’re cultivated and nurtured with care. They’re pruned, watered, and fertilized.

Here’s the beautiful thing about God’s grace: even the weeds, when they’re given love and attention, can transform. God’s persuasive grace doesn’t uproot us in frustration, it nurtures us, calls us to growth, and invites us into transformation. The weeds in our lives, our doubts, struggles, and missteps can become something beautiful when we are spiritually rooted in God’s love. But here’s the key: being spiritually rooted is intentional. Just as plants need soil, water, and sunlight, our souls need nourishment. We need to cultivate spiritual roots that connect us to God’s energy and life.

Nurturing Spiritual Roots

Let’s turn to Ephesians 4:12-16 . Paul talks about growing up in Christ, being united in faith, and no longer being tossed around by every wind of teaching or deceitful scheme. This is the work of spiritual roots, staying grounded, steady, and connected to God. Think of it this way: a plant without strong roots topples in the storm. And without roots, it can’t access the water and nutrients it needs. In the same way, spiritual roots must be cultivated for us to thrive.

Ephesians 4:12–16 CEB

His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ. As a result, we aren’t supposed to be infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to deliberately mislead others. Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.

Philippians 1:9-11 reminds us of what nourishes these roots: love and discernment. When we actively seek God’s love, on a daily basis, and allow that love to shape our decisions, our spiritual strength grows. Discernment helps us see where God is inviting us to grow and where to let go of the things that hinder us. In gardening, weeds will always come. But the more intentional plants you nurture and maintain the field of growth, hopefully the fewer weeds can take over. In our lives, when we focus on growing spiritual roots, the distractions and doubts loosen their grip.

Philippians 1:9–11 CEB

This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God.

Spiritual Rootedness Multiplies Blessings

When we are spiritually rooted, blessings multiply, not just for us, but for others. Philippians 1:21-26 illustrates Paul’s tension between wanting to be with Christ and staying to serve others. His spiritual roots gave him clarity of purpose.

The point is that spiritual gifts are given to serve and to help others, to strengthen others in the faith. They are bestowed for ministry, not to enhance self-esteem.

Thomas Schreiner

Think about your own life. When you’re grounded and spiritually connected to God, do you find it easier to be present for others, to have patience with your kids, to support a friend, or to give generously? Spiritual rootedness isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about bearing fruit that blesses your family, community, and the world.

Philippians 1:21–26 CEB

Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better. If I continue to live in this world, I get results from my work. But I don’t know what I prefer. I’m torn between the two because I want to leave this life and be with Christ, which is far better. However, it’s more important for me to stay in this world for your sake. I’m sure of this: I will stay alive and remain with all of you to help your progress and the joy of your faith, and to increase your pride in Christ Jesus through my presence when I visit you again.

Have you ever noticed how the health of one plant can improve the whole garden? Healthy roots stabilize the soil, share nutrients, and protect against erosion. The same concept applies with our physical bodies. When we eat and drink that which is healthy and nutritious, our bodies will respond in a way that makes us feel good and helps us be more productive in life’s daily demands. We think clearer, feel better, and can self-regulate our emotions easier. Similarly, when we grow spiritually, our faith and love spread, creating an environment where not only we but others can thrive.

The Dangers of Spiritual Atrophy

But what happens when we neglect our roots? Philippians 2:19-22 and Ephesians 4:27, 30-31 warn us about the dangers of spiritual atrophy. When our roots dry up, we become vulnerable to anger, bitterness, and selfishness. Think of a drought-stricken garden. Without water, plants become brittle, and weeds take over. In our spiritual lives, the same thing happens when we stop nurturing our connection to God. Neglect leads to spiritual exhaustion, relational fractures, and even a loss of purpose. We’ve all been there. Seasons of busyness, loss, or doubt can leave us feeling spiritually withered. But here’s the good news: even when we’ve neglected our roots, God’s persuasive grace is still at work.

Ephesians 4:27 CEB

Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil.

Ephesians 4:30–31 CEB

Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil.

Regrowing Spiritual Roots

As we read Philippians 3:7-11, we see how God offers hope for regrowing spiritual roots after neglect. Paul speaks of letting go of everything he once valued to know Christ fully. This is a process, not a one-time decision, but an ongoing journey of turning back to and walking with God.

Tom Oord wrote, “We’re on an adventure side by side with others. We draw from the past, but we should be able to criticize what seems unhealthy, too, especially bad views of God. We embrace truths of the present also; contemporary experiences matter. These will include interpreting aspects of truth, beauty, goodness, and love in our personal and social relations. Adventurers move into an open future. Our quest faces multiple possibilities.”

Think about this: even a dried-out plant can revive when it’s watered. With God’s grace, the same is true for us. It starts with small, intentional steps: prayer, scripture, community, and repeat.

Practical Steps for Spiritual Rootedness

Let’s explore three steps to cultivate spiritual rootedness: 1. Nourish Your Relationship with God:

The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.2

Walter Brueggemann

Spend time in prayer, not just asking but listening. Engage with scripture. Reflect on God’s persuasive grace, how God is inviting you into growth, even in the hard moments.

2.Strengthen Relational Connections: Spiritual growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

For kingdom growth to occur or for the body of Christ to grow to full maturity, functioning spiritual connections and interactions must sustain growth individually and collectively.

Stephen D. Lowe; Mary E. Lowe

Engage with your church, family, and friends. Share your faith journey with others and let them nurture you in return.

3. Practice Discernment: Be intentional about where you invest your time and energy.

Time should not be spent, it should be invested in the kingdom of God.

John Blanchard

Ask yourself: Does this decision connect me to God and others, or does it pull me away? Every action we commit to is our choice. No one has the power to pull you away from God nor can God force you to grow deeper in relationship with him; every act is intentional.

Reflection and Encouragement

So, let’s take a moment to reflect. What grounds you? Is it family, emotions, a sense of place and purpose? All these things can give clarity, but when we are rooted in God, everything else becomes clearer. God’s persuasive grace is always inviting us deeper, offering clarity and purpose. Even if you feel like a weed, unwanted or out of place, God sees your potential and God encourages you to look at all the possibilities available for you to act upon in order to choose the best one for you.

I’ll leave you with this: being spiritually rooted is not about perfection, even though we Wesleyans talk about going on to perfection in love. It’s about staying connected to the One who sustains us. Philippians 3:7-11 reminds us that our ultimate goal is to know Christ, not as an abstract idea, but as the source who reveals life and hope in God. May we all grow deep spiritual roots, nurturing not only our own faith but the faith of others. And may we trust that God’s grace is always at work, transforming us into something beautiful through his one and only son Jesus Christ. Amen.