[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h2″]Rooted in the Word of God[/x_custom_headline]In and out. It’s how we breath and how we live.
Up and down. It’s how we move.
Opposite directions working in rhythm. Such is the life of disciples.
We are rooted in Christ. So that we can grow and be built up.
Being rooted and built up work in tandem.
[x_pullquote cite=”Colossians 2:6-7″ type=”left”]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.[/x_pullquote]
These seemingly opposite directions are necessary and play off one another. We are rooted in the Word of God—in Jesus Christ Himself—so that we can be built up and equipped to be agents of His light in this world. Being rooted is where His nutrients get into our system. Being rooted is the only way we can be healthy. Equipped, built up, and strengthened are the fruits of His health in us and they are external. We are built up, not for our own gain, but for the other.
Being rooted instills in us a love that mimics God’s love. We love like He loves. We react as He reacts. We hunger and thirst after God’s Word like Jesus did. In every situation. In every moment. And therein, we find the essence of discipleship. “Take up your cross and follow me.” How often do we put “following Jesus” into a box or make a “to do list” out of our relationship, so we can feel better about ourselves. It is sad to watch us cheapen such a costly thing. We so quickly forget that discipleship is not something we do for God, but a gift that God has given to us. It’s about relationship. Grace. Forgiveness. Mercy. To know God. To run head long after Him. To fall more deeply in love with Him. To hunger and thirst for Him. For His Word. And then to hunger and thirst for what Jesus hungers and thirst for.
Rooted in the Word is our theme for the upcoming programmatic year. It gives us an image from which we will strive forward as Jesus followers. Rooted in the Word of God is the epicenter of our worship time and it is the hope that we can all take small steps forward in being Rooted in the Word of God personally as well. We will emphasize different aspects of what it means to be rooted in the Word throughout the church year. As our overall theme continues to unfold, we hope that you will engage with us and with our Lord as He calls us to dive deep into His Word in order to shape our lives.
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