I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 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. 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. 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. 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. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21
Dear God, the metaphor that seems to work over and over again to describe our discipleship is agricultural. There is Jesus’s parable of the different soils. There is the Fruit of the Spirit. In this case, Paul talks about our roots growing down into your love to keep us strong.
The trick with all of these agricultural analogies is that we have to do the work. We have to tend our soil. We have to fertilize the seeds planted in us. We have to get rid of the thorns and stickers.
To some extent I do that, but not enough. Although I’ve come to a good place of not making the outcome of the November elections an idol (either by who will win or who will not win), I still allow some of the venom of even those with whom I agree seep into me by giving them an audience. I don’t do it much, but sometimes I listen. Sometimes I watch. Sometimes I read.
I was talking with someone last night about a rumor they heard about the Pope cursing. They had just heard the rumor and used it as something with which they could accuse the Pope. First, I was able to find the story and the explanation of what happened. Then I asked the person, why would the Pope have dropped an Italian f-bomb during a blessing? Then I asked, what do you think the motivation is for the person who is pushing that narrative?
I could go on and on about misinformation on one side of things that I disagree with, but there is misinformation on the side of things that confirm my biases as well. Oh, how I need to guard my heart. Oh, how I need to weed my soil. Oh, how I need to ensure my tree is planted by streams of living water. Oh, how I need to do what I can to allow my roots to grow deep into you and your love!
Father, as I sit here this morning, I have a family member going through a common but still risky medical procedure today. Love him today. Love him through the doctors. Love him through the nurses and even those who check him in at the hospital. Love him through his wife. Love him through me and his family. Hold him close. Heal him. Give him strength. Help him to use his life for you and whatever you’re calling him to do and be.
I offer this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
Emails to God 