By Kelly Carr

I’m fascinated by giant tree roots that become visible—to see the winding intricacies involved in holding up and growing the beauty that rises above. And I love the stories I’ve heard since childhood of trees like the redwoods that thrive on intertwining their roots with others to grow.

It’s no wonder that I enjoy the wording from Colossians 2:6, 7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Consider the  importance of being rooted—dwelling in the soil of those who walked before us, intertwining with others who offer life-giving love, flourishing above the surface because of our depth in Christ.

As we read in Matthew 13, the parable of the sower is really a story about soil. There are a lot of places where we can put down roots; it matters what type of dirt we’re digging ourselves into.

I’m thankful that I was planted as a tiny seed in a terrific church family. I bloomed in my faith among people committed to God’s Word. I knew it as a Christian church, but I didn’t fully grasp its sturdy Restoration Movement roots until later. My parents had each grown up in a different denomination, but when they married and moved to a new city, they happened upon a newly planted fellowship of believers. I’m so glad they did. I gained strong roots as a result.

This week of Independence Day we look back at our country’s roots and the freedom we’re able to thrive in as Americans. It’s also a great time to look back to the roots of our church heritage and the soil of freedom and faith our forbearers tilled to make ready for us.

As we are reminded of our roots, let’s commit to remain rooted in Christ and in the fellowship of his church, so that together we will be “rooted and established in love” and “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).