Anchoring
the Roots of Our Hearts in the Love of God
In Oklahoma’s Chickasaw National Park, I remember swimming in
106 degree weather in a creek that was extremely clear and cold because the
water came from an underground source. We hiked to the source of the creek and
found pure and crystal-clear, life-giving water bubbling out of the ground.
God the
father is the source which we can turn to and allow his life giving words to
refresh the deepest thirst of our hearts. Learning to tap into his heart
through scripture meditation and prayer enables us to be refreshed and
strengthened daily.
Prayer is
the means of us accessing the unlimited resources that God wants to give us.
Imagine a large all-you-can-eat buffet and you are seeing what God has prepared
for us. The Bible speaks of large banquets as well as God opening the
storehouse or saving account of heaven (Matt. 22:1-14; Deut. 28:12). God has a
bank account in which we can make deposits and withdrawals by being radically
generous and through prayer (Phil. 4:17; Acts 10:1). Through His Holy Spirit we
are able to naturally tap into his power for daily living
Jesus Christ lives in our hearts. Our heart is the place
where our true identity resides and because Christ lives in us, we can anchor
the roots of our heart deep into his love. God’s perfect love casts out fear
and at the core of our identity, we are children of God whose hearts cry out
for our Daddy or Abba (1 John 4:18; Rom. 8:15, 16). Just like my three-year old
counts on me comforting him when he has a nightmare, so we can count on the
Spirit of God comforting us through the storms of life.
(The roots of this tree could not
withstand the power of the storm.)
On a recent family bike ride, we found our way blocked by
large trees which had fallen in a storm. They fell because their roots were not
strong and deep enough. Jesus said that
when we follow him, we are like a wise man whose house is built on a rock so
that no storms can destroy it. It is good to periodically reflect on the
question, “Where is my identity rooted in?” Is it in my career, family,
reputation, ministry or wealth? This is important because if my identity is not
grounded first in God, then sooner or later I will find myself empty.
Everyone has times in their lives when they may feel empty or
dry. It is important to be filled daily with his Holy Spirit. We can have as
much of God as we want. Just like my relationship with my spouse only becomes
deeper and more enjoyable with time, so growing in my relationship with God is
extremely rewarding. Keeping him at the center of my identity still can be a
challenge because unlike a strong cup, worries and distractions of life can
cause me to leak.
Having God at the center of our identity makes us resilient.
Just like a boat that is anchored in deep waters during a storm so we know that
we are always safe. The love of God is overwhelming. Imagine being dropped by a
helicopter in the middle of the ocean where you cannot see how wide, long, high
or deep the salt-water is because it seems never-ending. Now imagine that that
ocean is not seawater, but it is the love of God. What do you sense or feel? Is
it warm, cold, comforting or scary? How does it affect your heart, your mind,
your body? What repercussions does it mean for your past, present and future?
Experiencing the love
of Christ is not just an intellectual exercise, but something which we do with
all of our being. The way we center our hearts in the love of God is by meditating
on scripture and more specifically on the cross. What does it mean that Jesus loved us so much
that even though we were his enemies, he chose to die for us? (Rom. 5:10). What
do his words “It is finished,” mean for our daily lives? (John 19:10). These
are the kind of question which cause God’s love to go deeper into our hearts.
The thoughts I have written here come from a prayer out of Ephesians 3:14-21.
Why don’t you take a few minutes and see how God make speak to you through this
prayer as well.
14 When
I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and
on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited
resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your
hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep
you strong. 18 And
may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how
long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with
all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now
all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to
accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ
Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
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