Rooted and Grounded in Love

I’m sure we’ve all seen in the aftermath of a violent storm, large trees uprooted while others remain standing.

We wonder why?

The difference is frequently found underground.

Trees with deep root systems can withstand storms, while those with shallow root systems are more easily blown over. The storm often reveals what is not visible above ground. The difference is not in the apparent health, height, or beauty of the tree, but in the depth of its roots.

In the same way, Christians who are rooted in God’s love may face the same storms as everyone else—loss, disappointment, illness, criticism, tragedy, and even the death of loved ones—but they remain standing because their roots reach deeply into the love of God.

As with the trees, the storm reveals what the sunshine conceals.

In his prayer for the Ephesian Christians, Paul petitions God that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:17-19).

This agricultural metaphor, “rooted,” speaks of deep spiritual love that feeds upon God’s Word and is nurtured and nourished by faith.

Preacher and commentator D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said that love is to be the “predominating, prevailing element” of the Christian life. He described love as the soil in which spiritual life is planted and from which it draws nourishment. The tree image emphasizes vitality, growth, and fruitfulness.

Having illustrated spiritual stability with the image of a tree, Paul immediately shifts to another picture—that of a building resting on a solid foundation. Christians are to be “grounded” in love.

This metaphor reminds us of the foundation that supports a building. When traveling through large cities, we admire the skyscrapers that tower over the city. We notice the structure’s height, beauty, and design.

Rarely do we think about the massive foundation buried deep beneath the ground that supports it. In fact, the taller the building, the deeper the foundation must be.

The analogy is striking and clear. A Christian may be recognized for his involvement in ministry, a lovely family, and a sterling reputation for his accomplishments. However, if his life is not grounded in God’s divine love and in his love for others, it may come crumbling down when the storm strikes.

The foundation unseen by the world, and often by other brethren, is Bible study, personal prayer time, spiritual reflection, and private devotion. These lead to a deeper awareness of God’s love.

Indeed, “What supports your life is more important than what impresses others.”

As we continue to consider our theme, “Love More, Give More,” we are reminded that this love cannot be shallow or superficial. It must be rooted and grounded in the character of Christ and the love of God.

Thus, as Paul later writes, we are called to “walk in love,” imitating God and emulating Jesus, who loved us with ultimate sacrificial love when He died for our sins (Eph. 5:1-2).

Being rooted and grounded in love enables us to love God more deeply as we learn from Him, the epitome of love.

This rooted and grounded love manifests itself in practical demonstrations of kindness, compassion, service, and forgiveness in our homes, our church families, and among our friends.

A life anchored in love is not artificial or manufactured to meet the needs of the moment, but is real and genuine—springing forth from the soil of a good and honest heart nurtured by God’s love.

When our hearts are rooted and grounded in love, we find stability during life’s storms, withstand pressure and problems, and provide the basis for further spiritual growth.

When we’re rooted and grounded in love, ministry becomes more joyful, congregational unity becomes possible, and truth becomes more attractive to outsiders.

Never forget, as several commentators have observed, “the roots go down before the fruit goes up.” Long before love is seen in our actions, it must first be established in our hearts. The deeper our roots sink into the love of God, the greater the fruit our lives will bear for His glory.

—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman