Roots October 15, 2009

Recently, we got a packet of seeds from a popular children’s radio station. My little ones were elated, and could not wait to turn that little packet into a beautiful garden. On a (very) hot afternoon shortly thereafter, my husband and I worked with the kids to prepare the ground and lay out the seeds. Weeks passed. My five-year-old watered, and watered, and watered. Every few days, he would venture out to look expectantly at the location of our seeds-turning-flowers. Nothing came up. Absolutely…nothing.

Finally, in one of those tougher-than-nails moments for a mom, I had to break his little heart and speak the words. “Honey,” I told him gently, “These flowers aren’t going to come up. The seeds never took root.”

Roots, it seems, are all-important. Without them, nothing grows. They are the lifeline. It’s not surprising, then, that God speaks in His word about our roots.

Look at Ephesians 3:19, where we discovered the biggies. “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…”

The first step to grasping the height and depth of God’s love is being rooted in it. Deep roots keep us grounded. When we are grounded in the love of Christ, we begin to understand just how great His love for us really is. Becoming established in God’s love is the first key to unlocking the biggies in your life.

What are you rooted in right now? Do you have deep roots that enable great growth, or are your underpinnings looking a bit shallow? Ask God to show you how you can fortify your lifeline and become more rooted in His love today.

Fearless October 12, 2009

I’ve discovered a new fear in my life: stink bugs! I have been ministering this weekend in Middleton, MD, on a lovely mountaintop! The only thing that is not so lovely about this place are the stink bugs…they abound! At first, I was trying to avoid them, which is impossible, because there are so many. Now, I’m desensitized, I guess. Last night, I was just plucking them off of my jacket and pants…no joke! I still don’t like them, and I certainly don’t want to take any back home to Richmond.

Fear is tricky. Fear often keeps us from realizing our potential in Christ. Fear of the unknown, fear of the unspeakable, fear of the uncontrollable… it’s a powerful motivator, and its nature usually inspires negative momentum in the life of a Christ-follower.

A wise mentor once told me that all negative emotions ultimately can be traced back to fear. Think about that for a moment. Your anger, your shame, your sadness, your pain…all of the things you’d like to move past find their beginning in the emotion of fear.

When I feel fearful, I speak these words, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18) This is how God’s love is the ultimate biggie!

You see, the complete love of Jesus actually obliterates fear. So when Paul prays that we will be grounded in love so that we can grasp the height and depth of God’s love for us (see Eph. 3), his prayer actually helps us to overcome fear. When we grasp God’s love, we learn what it means to be fearless.

All sorts of things inspire fear in us. Perfect (or fully complete) love is the ultimate replacer. When love steps in, fear is driven out. God wants you to experience His love in a way that far exceeds what you can ask or imagine. Allow Him begin the work of replacing your fear with His love.

In which areas of your life would you like to experience more of God’s love and power, and less fear? Pray 1 John 4:18 over your personal situation today, and ask the Lord to reassure you of His love and power, helping you to let go of the fear you are feeling. He wants to do great things in your life! Don’t let fear hold you back!

The Force October 1, 2009

When a neighbor’s little boy brought over a toy light saber several months ago, my five-year-old son got his first taste of Star Wars. A curious taste it was! Ashton wasn’t sure whether to revel in the pretend power of it all or duck and take cover. To a young boy, the likes of Yoda and Luke Skywalker can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.

It’s funny that the characters alone have this effect on little Ashton. I am left to wonder what he’ll feel when he’s old enough to comprehend that the characters are engaged in the war of good fighting with evil, and that imaginary powers of “the force” are at work, too.

The truth is, even at 35, I’m still trying to understand the force. Not the Star Wars force; the real force that is at work in you and me as believers. We read about it in this week’s verse. It’s important to note that Paul is actually referencing the power he spoke about in the first part of his letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:19-20 “…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”

The very real force that raised Jesus from the dead is at work inside of us! Now that is serious power!

Maybe you are facing a situation where you see no opportunity. Perhaps in some area of life you feel defeated. Be encouraged.

The divine force which resurrected Jesus from the dead is at work in you today, making all things possible. So, live large today, and embrace the power of Christ in your life! May the Force be with you.