Rooted and Grounded In Love

That was the phrase that came to me last week while I was praying with the Gulf Coast area staff team (Houston + College Station). I felt God calling me to know that I am rooted and grounded in His love in a new way during the next few months. I’m excited!

My first thought was, that’s a little redundant. What’s the difference in being rooted and being grounded?

It’s from Ephesians 3:17. I’ve read that passage a couple times in the last few months, as I’ve pondered our vision statement (Infused with the Transforming Power of Christ, Overflowing with Sacrificial Love) and to help our Small Group Leaders choose passages to study this semester. But I’ve been reading the NIV, and that has a different wording – “rooted and established”. The phrase God gave me is found in a couple translations. Here’s the larger passage in the NASB translation:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

I keep thinking of all the difference this will make in my life. In my staff work, I would know that my self-worth is not based on whether someone chooses to give to my ministry or go to the event I’ve planned. I’m taking on more risks as a staff worker, especially in evangelism. Knowing that I’m rooted and grounded in love will transform the way I share the gospel and hopefully transform the people I’m sharing with. I’m learning how to take a Sabbath after working hard all week. I tend to spread my work out, trampling over boundaries I’ve set up for rest. That leaves me too tired to work hard when I need to. Can you imagine the difference? Stretching myself to work, because I know God loves me. Then, choosing to turn from work, trusting that God will still love me when I’m not performing for Him. Believing that delighting in God and playing and resting in His presence is a worthwhile use of my time. Because it’s worth it to experience God and His love.

So what do you think? What does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love? Has God taken you through a similar growing experience?