ROOTED IN LOVE

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, prays a powerful prayer for all believers. He says, “I pray that you … are being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17). When we think of roots, we think of trees, vast and majestic, standing tall and firm. But the secret of their strength isn’t visible to the naked eye. It’s hidden beneath the soil. It’s their roots.

Roots are essential for a tree’s survival. They provide anchorage, but more importantly, they are the tree’s source of nourishment. They absorb water and minerals from the soil, which the tree needs to grow and thrive. And just like these trees, our spiritual lives need to be rooted. But not in anything; we need to be rooted in love—God’s love.

God’s love is like the fertile soil that nourishes our roots. It’s rich and endless and provides everything we need to grow spiritually. Remember what John tells us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the essence of the soil we’re talking about. It’s a potent soil that brings forth the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.
When we are rooted in this divine love, we are immovable. The seasons may change, the leaves may fall, and the fruits may wither, but the roots? They remain steadfast. So too, when we are rooted in God’s love, the external circumstances of our lives—our personal autumns and winters—cannot shake us. We remain firm because our foundation is unshakeable.

But being rooted in love isn’t just for our own benefit. A well-nourished tree does not keep its bounty to itself. It provides shade for the weary, fruits for the hungry, and beauty for the sorrowful. Similarly, when we are rooted in God’s love, that love overflows from us to others. We become conduits of His love, grace, and mercy to the world.

So, let us be like trees planted by the water, roots deep in the soil of God’s love, for it is in being rooted that we grow and in growing that we truly live.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
April 10, 2024