Colossians 2:6 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Roots. It's what a plant needs to keep growing stronger. A root anchors the plant and absorbs nutriments and moisture to help it grow. You can have the biggest, healthiest plant ever, but speaking from experience, if left unwatered without sunlight, the roots will begin to surface and the plant will eventually die. A green thumb, I have not. In fact, with the exception of one, I have successfully neglected all plants I've ever had to the point of no return.
Well, this last week, God has been teaching me the importance of growing my roots deeper. You see, I kind of think I know my Bible pretty well. I don't mean to sound proud when I say that. It's just that I grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school for thirteen years, went to a Christian college, and well, I've been growing in Christ a long time. But sometimes it's easy to be complacent and forget the need for continual growth. Our pastor has been challenging us about this very directive of growth from God the last few weeks at church, too.
Well, last Wednesday, when our worship team finished practicing a song, our worship pastor opened up his Bible and started reading a passage from Revelation. Now, I've read through the Bible, cover to cover, several times. But as he read, I heard some things I don't remember hearing before about how John describes the return of Christ. In it, he said Jesus will have written on His robe and thigh, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Hmmm...yep, I definitely never remember reading this description of Jesus. Sure, I knew Jesus is called the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" but does that mean Jesus will have a tattoo on his thigh with this title? I'm not sure, but it kind of sounds like that, doesn't it? And then another thing in the passage caught my ear. It said Jesus will bear a name that no one knows but He Himself. I listened as Pastor Steven kept reading. I stood there captivated by this phrasing from the Bible that I just had never remembered hearing before. How could I have missed this in all my years of being a Christian? I got home and re-read the passage. In fact, I've probaby read it at least 5 times since. We know so many names for God, and yet, there is one name that will not be revealed to us until He returns. Take a look for yourself at the passage - Revelation 19:11-16.
Now take a look at the verse to memorize for this week in Colossians. Paul says, just like we've received Christ, we should continue to live in Him. Continue. It's a verb, but it's one that calls for action in the present tense. We need to persist. Last. Endure. And how do we do this? By building up our roots in Him. This strengthens our faith, and the bi-product is an overflow of thankfulness.
The story from Revelation is just one example of how God hit me upside the head this week with the need to grow my roots. Sometimes when you've been a Christian a long time, it's easy to not look for new things in Scriptures. "Been there, done that" should never be a mantra of a Christian. Instead, it should be "Show me. Teach me. Help me learn." The more I learn, the more my roots grow, the more I realize so little I know. I wrote this poem this week, in response to the passage from Revelation. God, keep growing my roots so that I am a life-long student of Yours.
A Name No One Knows...
Revelation 19:11-16
We think we know Him, this Jesus of ours,
but is that really the case?
If He returned today, right in front of our eyes
would we recognize His face?
Provider, Healer, Messiah, Friend
Lover of our souls, No Beginning, No End
Righteous Judge, defeating all foes
And He’ll bear a name that no one knows.
His eyes will be like a blazing fire.
On His head will be many crowns.
He’ll be dressed in a robe dripped in blood
And His name is the Word of God.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Will be written on His thigh and robe
He’s faithful and true. Immeasurably pure.
And He has a name no one knows.
Such a mystery, this Christ in me.
I spend my days trying to know Him more
Realizing I’ve got so far to go
To really know that name no one knows.
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com
Recent Comments