Topsy - Turvey
By Peggy Kleckner
“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.”
Colossians 2:6-7
Over and over again in God’s Word, we are reminded that, as believers, our position is “in Christ.” In fact, Jesus Himself said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Knowing about our position in Christ, I had to laugh when I ran into today’s verse about our being “rooted” in Him. Think about that with me for just a minute or two. Where is Christ? He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Where is the Father? In heaven. Therefore, we, as believers, are rooted in Christ above, but we bear fruit for Him on earth, below. Get a mental picture of that and you see that we are essentially upside-down plants. My mental picture? The now popular topsy-turvey tomato plants!
How fun is that? In this spring season of planting and growth, remember that your heavenly Father is growing you in Christ. You have been grafted into the vine (Christ) and in Him you will bear good fruit, so that others can “taste and see that He is good!”(Psalm 34:8)
No wonder the world’s ways seem so topsy-turvey to those who are “in Christ.” Our perspective is quite different! Trust God by His Spirit to continue to grow you in Christ so that you will bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is a hungry-hearted world waiting for that good fruit. Meanwhile your roots are quite safe…above.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How established is your “root” system?
2. Are you allowing God to water you with His Word?
FURTHER READING:
John 15:1-17; 2 Peter 3:18
Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons.
