Rooted & Growing

There is something instinctive in all of us that wants quick growth. We want visible results. We want progress we can measure. We want signs that things are moving forward. That desire is not inherently wrong. Growth is good. Growth is God’s design. But Scripture is clear that healthy growth always begins below the surface.

When the Bible speaks about spiritual maturity, it almost never starts with outward activity. It starts with roots.

The psalmist describes the righteous person as “a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:3). The prophet Jeremiah echoes the same imagery, saying that the one who trusts in the Lord is “like a tree planted by water… it does not fear when heat comes” (Jeremiah 17:8). Jesus Himself returns to this idea repeatedly, teaching that lasting fruit flows from abiding, not striving.

The common thread in all of these passages is not speed, visibility, or productivity. It is depth.

What It Means to Be Rooted

To be rooted is to be anchored in something greater than circumstances. Roots are unseen, but they determine everything about the health of the tree. They decide whether it stands firm in a storm, whether it survives seasons of drought, and whether it has the strength to grow upward at all.

Spiritually speaking, being rooted means our lives are anchored in the truth of God’s Word, shaped by consistent communion with Him, and nourished by life within the body of Christ. It means our faith is not built on emotional highs, cultural trends, or convenience, but on the unchanging character of God.

The apostle Paul prays this very thing over the church in Ephesians 3, asking that believers would be “rooted and grounded in love.” That prayer is not about information alone. It is about formation. Paul understands that before believers can comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love, they must be rooted deeply enough to receive it.

Shallow roots cannot sustain deep faith.

Why Growth Without Roots Is Dangerous

One of the most sobering teachings Jesus gives is the parable of the sower. Some seed falls on rocky ground, springs up quickly, and looks promising. But because it has no depth, it withers when the sun comes out. The problem was never the seed. The problem was the soil.

In the life of the church, rapid growth without deep discipleship often produces fragile faith. People may know the language of Christianity but lack the resilience to endure suffering. They may be active in church but disconnected from true spiritual transformation. When trials come, when prayers seem unanswered, or when following Jesus becomes costly, shallow roots are exposed.

Rooted & Growing is not about avoiding growth. It is about pursuing the right kind of growth. Growth that lasts. Growth that produces fruit over time. Growth that remains faithful even when circumstances are hard.

Growth as God Defines It

Biblical growth is not measured only by attendance, activity, or outward success. It is measured by Christlikeness. Paul tells the church in Colossians that his goal is to “present everyone mature in Christ.” That maturity is not achieved through shortcuts. It comes through steady obedience, spiritual discipline, and life lived in community.

Jesus often described the Kingdom of God as something that grows slowly and quietly, like a seed buried in the ground or yeast working its way through dough. God is not in a hurry, but He is always at work.

When we commit to being rooted, growth becomes a natural result rather than a forced outcome.

A Call to Begin Below the Surface

As we begin this Rooted & Growing journey, the invitation is simple but challenging: slow down long enough to let God deepen your roots.

This season is not about doing more for God before being with God. It is not about adding spiritual noise to an already busy life. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to strengthen what is unseen so that what is seen can flourish in the right time.

Ask yourself today:

• What am I rooted in right now?

• What is shaping my thoughts, decisions, and priorities?

• Where might God be calling me to go deeper rather than faster?

Healthy growth always starts underground. When roots go deep, fruit will come.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, plant me deeply in Your truth. Strengthen my roots in Your Word, Your love, and Your presence. Shape my life from the inside out, and let the growth You produce be lasting and faithful. Amen.