I first encountered the name in a book called "The Great Giveaway" by David E. Fitch (more on this book in later posts). It is the name of his young adult ministry. The name jump off the page to me.
When I first read it an image popped into my head that has stuck with me ever since. It is the vision of a tree turned upside down, planted in the sky if you will. As its roots sink deeper into the heavens the tree grows downward towards the earth. The tree matures and grows and eventually bears fruit which is easy pickings for the humans below. I treasure this vision because it is the heart of every believer - to grow closer (more rooted) in Christ so that there is a harvest of righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit and the saving of souls.
God continues to layer on meaning for me. Just this morning He reminded me of Abram, called by God to leave his home and journey to the Promised Land. Abram left his home, everything he was familiar with, and followed this voice into the wilderness with nothing more than a promise - the promise that he would become a great nation and walk with God. I can relate to that call and promise. While I may not be leaving my geographic location, I am certainly pulling up stakes and moving into uncharted social and spiritual territory. I don't know where I am going, I only hear the Voice. The Voice calls me onward. Maybe that seems a little trippy to some of you, I am comfortable with that. I can only relate my experiences in the language given to me.
Finally, up-rooted is a reminder to me. A reminder that I am only a pilgrim here on this earth. My home country is the Kingdom of God and I have been away a long time. up-rooted speaks to a longing to go home, a longing for the Person who makes home home. While I am here on the earth I will find joy in what I can, but I will only hold on to things loosely. I know these things and people aren't mine alone, but are rather gifts from above meant to bless me and those around me.
So, up-rooted is a vision. It is a promise. It is a longing for home. And my prayer is that God would instill those things in your heart as well. Thanks for reading. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment