The Importance of Being Firmly Rooted

The beach on Jekyll Island, S.C. is littered with driftwood,
the remnants of fallen trees.

Early in my walk of faith I was encouraged to join a small group discipleship program called the ‘2:7 Series.’ I decided to participate, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

The 2:7 Series was developed by The Navigators, a parachurch ministry that for many years has emphasized both evangelism and disciple-making, in keeping with Jesus’ commands to His followers. The ‘2:7’ refers to Colossians 2:7, which reads, “having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

 

Those 25 words say a lot, but the ones that immediately jump out at me are “firmly rooted.” What comes to my mind are images of stately trees suddenly being uprooted in a severe storm, like a hurricane or intense thunderstorm. In our area we’ve recently experienced heavy rains with strong winds which upended a number of trees, in some cases knocking down power lines.

 

It’s not always the case, but when trees that have stood proudly for many years fall suddenly during storms, it’s often because they had shallow root systems. Nothing to anchor them to the ground when natural adversity in the form of heavy precipitation and harsh winds struck. They weren’t firmly rooted.

 

Spiritually speaking, having a firm, deep root system is even more important. Because challenges, trials, tribulations, major crises – or whatever you want to call them – are inevitable in this life. Faith will be tested, probably more than we’d like, and our responses will reveal how firmly rooted it is. 

 

The apostle Paul addresses this in his letter to the ancient church in Rome, just after he makes the now-familiar declaration, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). These can be greatly encouraging words, but only if we’re convinced that God is for us and that He works all things for our ultimate good.

 

A few verses later Paul writes this underscore: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).

 

If we’re firmly rooted in our faith in an all-powerful, never-changing God, we can find much strength and assurance in such promises. However, if our spiritual root system is shallow, the proverbial mile-wide and one-inch deep, when the storms strike we’re likely to topple just as huge trees supported only by shallow roots.

 

At the very beginning of the Psalms, we see a description of a person whose faith is firmly rooted: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” The preceding verse tells us what these “streams of water” are that enable this person to flourish: “…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2-3).

 

In the small group discipleship program of which I was a part for a couple of years, we were encouraged to hear and read the Scriptures, study them, memorize key Bible verses, and meditate on them to take in as much spiritual nourishment from them as possible, much like a cow chewing its cud over and over. (I hope to write more about this in a future post.)

 

My favorite devotional writer, Oswald Chambers, focused on this in one of his recent meditations in My Utmost for His Highest. He said:

“God doesn’t promise to make us immune to trouble; God promises to be with us in trouble…. Trouble is never a noble thing, but neither is it all-powerful…. Let trouble be what it is. Let it be exhausting and irritating. But never let it separate you from the reality that God loves you.”

Someone has said that every follower of Christ either is in the midst of a trial, has just come out of a trial, or is getting ready to go into one. We’re broken people living in a broken world. But if we’re firmly rooted, our faith anchored in the timeless, limitless promises of our eternal God and His Word, no matter what hardships or adversities we’ll confront, they won’t take us down. 

Have We Been Missing ‘The Main Thing’ All Along?

Many important issues are competing for our attention these days. There’s the never-ending battle against poverty. Many believe abortion is a crucial concern. We have the ongoing culture war that’s trying to turn morality on its head. Then we have the economy, politics, global health crises, debate over causes and effects of climate change, and many others.

Followers of Jesus Christ are often understandably torn over which matters should receive the bulk of our energy and resources. Some people seek to dispel this confusion by asking the famous question, “What would Jesus do?” WWJD bracelets are no longer the rage, but it remains a valid question.

 

For the answer, some seem inclined to turn to the books of 1 and 2 Opinions. These aren’t in the Bible, but people talk and act as if they are. It’s kind of like saying, “Well, if I were Jesus….” We’d be wise to stop right there because, well, we’re not Jesus. 

 

The best way to find out what Jesus Christ would do – and what He would want of us – is to consult the Scriptures, because that’s where the Lord is revealed most definitively. The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us the clearest picture of Him. 

 

They reveal a lot about how Jesus lived and what He taught, but don’t give a complete, 24/7 accounting for everything Jesus did and said over His 33 years on earth. The gospel of John even acknowledges this by stating, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

 

Nevertheless, I believe the gospels and the remainder of the Bible give us everything we need to know about Jesus for seeking to live as He desires of us. We don’t need to know more than that – we have enough difficulty trying to understand and apply what has been recorded.

 

Jesus’ life and teachings were wide-ranging, but what He said moments before His ascension seems particularly significant. After declaring, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” Jesus gave His last instructions to His followers: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Of all the last words He could have said, Jesus told His disciples to make other disciples. He could have addressed any of the issues listed above, or others, but making disciples was the final thought – the main thing Jesus wanted to leave with them. And us.

 

A disciple, by definition, is a learner, a follower, one who influences and teaches others so that they too become disciples. It’s noteworthy that the concept of making disciples isn’t mentioned at all in the Bible until…the first chapter of Genesis. After the declaration, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27), the very next verse says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number [multiply]; fill the earth and subdue it….’”

 

Connecting this first of God’s many biblical commands with what we commonly regard as Jesus’ Great Commission, we discover discipling others – making more people in His image – is central to His will and purpose for humankind.

 

When we hear the oft-asked question, “What’s wrong with the Church today?”, I suspect a major factor is the failure to follow through on the last thing Jesus said before being taken up to Heaven. He commanded His followers to “make disciples,” not just converts but people who are growing, maturing and reproducing themselves spiritually.

 

We see a description of this in one of the apostle Paul’s writings to his protégé, Timothy. Paul directed the younger man, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

In this single verse we find four generations of believers – Paul, Timothy, “reliable men,” and “others” whom they would teach. Just as Paul had invested much of his life into Timothy, he wanted Timothy to do the same with reliable (faithful) men, who would in turn do the same with other people.

How many churches are doing this today? We hear moving sermons and uplifting music during times of worship; we have programs designed for nearly every target audience; we devise slick marketing campaigns to attract people. But how many of our churches are intentionally and aggressively striving to do the main thing Jesus said we’re to do – go and make disciples? 

The Greatest Ability

Have you ever observed someone excelling at a skill or talent and thought, “Gee, I wish I could do that!”? Maybe it’s a gifted speaker who holds audiences captivated. Or a wonderful singer whose music stirred your soul. Perhaps an artist whose work spoke deeply to you. It might have been a craftsman or handyman whose ability to build something beautiful or to execute a difficult repair left you amazed.

In high school, I played drums and percussion in the marching, concert and dance bands, and had the good fortune to be a part of an exceptional musical organization that went on to win many honors. But my personal abilities as a not-little drummer boy never advanced beyond average. Wishing I could have done better, I’ve always been mesmerized watching drummers’ sticks fly across the tom-toms and cymbals. 

We’ve probably all at times wished we had some ability that we lacked, but did you know that the greatest ability of all is something we each can possess?

You might have already heard it from other sources, but as a friend of mine used to say years ago: “The greatest ability is availability.”

Even the most celebrated ability has little value if the possessor is unable or unwilling to use it. It’s sad if God entrusts us with a gift or talent and, when opportunity knocks, we wait for someone else to open the door. Oswald Chambers writes a need does not constitute a call. However, if the Lord has indeed called us to do certain things, it’s more than an obligation to respond – it’s our privilege, and our joy.

Back in the early ‘80s, I was introduced to the strategy of one-on-one discipling, following Jesus’ command to “go into all the world and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19). Most of my own spiritual training to that point had come through hearing sermons, reading the Bible on my own, and participating in a small discipleship group that consisted of about a dozen men and women.

All of those were very beneficial, but I could imagine how helpful it would have been to meet regularly with another man, more mature in his faith, who could help me – perhaps as a mentor – to grow into the person I knew God wanted me to become. 

So I started praying for the Lord to send just one man my way, someone I could invest time and energy in to assist in his growth. Since I had never done anything like that before, I had no idea how effective I could be at it. But I was willing to give it a try. Basically I was telling God, “I don’t know how much ability I have for this, but if You want me to do it, I’ve available.”

Within two months of starting to pray this way, He led me to two men. I met with both of them individually for more than a couple of years, and one I remain in contact with today, more than 30 years later. And in the years afterward, God has brought numerous other men into my life to disciple, some for relatively brief periods of time, others for years.

Perhaps discipling someone else, even a younger person, is what God would like you to do as well. It doesn’t matter how much ability you have. The question is, are you available?

On the other hand, maybe engaging in making disciples one-on-one isn’t what the Lord has put on your heart, but I guarantee there is something – even some things – He is calling you to do. God can easily give you the ability. But do you have the availability?

In 1 Peter 4:10 the apostle writes, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.” What are you good at? What gives you joy when doing it in conjunction with others? What opportunities does the Lord seem to be sending your way? What enables you to bear spiritual fruit when you do it?

Even if you’re not certain about how much ability you have for doing something you’re feeling called to do, that’s of small consequence. What matters is whether you’re willing to say, “Lord, I’m available.” Or as the prophet declared, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). 

A Million Dollars – Or a Penny?

Suspend your disbelief for a moment, okay? Imagine someone approaches you today and offers a choice: He will give you one million dollars immediately, or one penny doubled every day for the next month. Which would you choose?

No, I don’t have insider knowledge of some wealthy magnate planning to make this offer. I haven’t consulted with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, or even Donald Trump. But as you’ll see, it’s an interesting exercise that illustrates an important principle. 

Most of us would probably leap at the $1 million offer. No brainer, right? But wait. At first it would seem anyone who opted to receive a penny the first day, then have it doubled the second day and each succeeding day for a month, would be the loser. But as they say, do the math.

Let’s suppose Joe accepts the $1 million. He even sets it aside to collect interest. Good decision, right? However, his friend Jim, a curious soul, elects to take the one penny the first day, doubling that amount every day for a month of 31 days. At first things go slowly for Jim – one cent, two cents, four cents, eight cents, 16 cents. Ho hum. But momentum starts building.

On day 10, Jim receives $5.12. Day 15 nets him $163.84; on day 20 he gets $5,242.88, and on day 25 Jim’s single day’s “earnings” are $167,772.16! The agreement of the one penny doubled daily for a total of 31 days, so the amount continues to multiply. On day 31, Jim is the recipient of…more than $10.7 million! Would you still rather take the $1 million up front?

This silly scenario represents the genius behind Jesus’ strategy for growing His Church around the world, a plan that’s been has largely ignored.

You might recall the Lord’s last words to His followers before ascending to Heaven. He told them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”(Matthew 28:19-20). We know it as the Great Commission. 

Instead of “making disciples,” however, much of Christianity has focused on making converts, producing spiritual babes without putting in the hard work to assist them in growing into maturing, spiritually reproducing disciples.

Let’s apply the monetary illustration to Jesus’ command. Suppose an established follower of Christ meets for a year with a younger believer, helping him or her to grow in their faith. At the end of that year, they both find someone else to disciple, effectively doubling or “multiplying” their number from two to four. One year later, each one finds another person to disciple – now there are eight. So far, not too impressive.

But like the example of the ever-doubling pennies, the numbers begin to surge geometrically. At year 10, assuming there’s no attrition, there would be 512 believers meeting and helping each other to grow. By year 20, the number has grown to 524,288! Projecting to year 30, following Jesus’ strategy and directive to “make disciples,” there would be nearly 537 million committed, fruitful followers of Jesus Christ having an eternal impact at home, at work, in their communities and the world around them.

By year 34, there would be more than 8.5 billion maturing, reproducing Christ followers – more than the current population of the world!

In reality, the issue isn’t numbers. If it were, Jesus would have issued production quotas. No, His desire was simply for us to make disciples who make disciples…who make disciples. Ultimately, men, women and young people all devoted to Christ and committed to following Him no matter what. Folks who, as Romans 6:11 states, “count [themselves] dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

How many people do we know like that, individuals willing to follow Jesus’ directive: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). That, in just a handful of words, is Jesus’ description of what a disciple looks like – the kind of people He commissioned to engage in consistently devoting themselves to ministering to others, life on life.

For more than 35 years, it’s been my privilege to meet one-to-one with other men, sharing from our lives and “spurring one another on to love and good deeds,” as Hebrews 10:24 expresses it. Not every one of them has gone on to give of his time and energy to help others grow, but a number of them have. In Isaiah 60:22 states, “The least of you will become a thousand.” If we’re willing, we can each play a small but important part in Jesus’ Great Commission, just as He asked us to do.