Being Rooted

Have you ever clicked with someone so deeply and profoundly that the friendship was like breathing in air? Effortless.? There’s no quarreling because that would be a grossly inconvenient waste of time. There’s so much to share and it seems that there’s not enough time to share it. The topic invariably is one and only one. That’s what is common and comfortable. It’s easy. So easy in fact that you can’t wait to have the next conversation because the interest in that conversation is nurturing and gratifying. In fact, if there isn’t conversation, there seems to be a void. Sometimes, the anticipation of the conversation is overwhelming. Why? Well, the topic, it’s nearly always the same yet the themes of the topic are endless and even more, they are joyous and revelatory all at the same time. Yes, there are seasons in which one discovers a new ally, that someone who you never thought you would have so much in common with, not necessarily on a mundane level, but on something much deeper and wondrous that you ever thought possible. Sometimes, that someone may not have the same upbringing or culture or perhaps may not even look like you, but there’s something there that reaches beyond the superficial, beyond the intellect or emotion, but to the soul. That special someone is not even special, saved for the one thing that binds us beyond any human capacity. Yes, that bond is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God! That’s the click.

See, you can have many acquaintances, many friends, many best friends, whatever. Yet, what holds you together as friends is fleeting and never truly lasts no matter how long the friendship lasts. Why? Because the friendship is finite. We die. That’s why. But the click I’m talking about has nothing to do with one friend or the other. There’s no comparison. There’s no degree. There’s no reference point of contention. No, the friendship I’m talking about is an eternal one borne from another. The only commonality worth discussing about has nothing to do with either friend. It’s about Jesus and Jesus alone. There no Jesus plus, just Jesus. See, the presence of God in your soul longs for fellowship, fellowship with Him and fellowship with other believers. Why? Because once you’re saved, that’s all you think about is a relationship with Christ and love for others. It’s a special club, a salvation club, but it’s offered to all and, it’s free. The only condition is that one must have is a relationship with Jesus to get into the club. That’s where the problem begins. See, most folk don’t want a relationship with Jesus. They want to pick their own God or lack thereof. Totally understandable. Free will, I get it. But, the joy of having this relationship with Christ defies any description. It’s ineffable. For those who have this relationship with Jesus, well, you start finding others that have the same feeling you have about Christ. It turns out that the feeling is exactly the same one you have. I’ve traveled and seen many people from all over and the fellowship with another believer is unmistakable. It’s exactly the same and the camaraderie is beyond words. All you do is talk about Jesus. Why? Because Jesus loves us so much that He pursued us by becoming human, getting butchered and mutilated on a cross, bearing our sin so that we could be with Him forever in Heaven. Now, that’s something to talk about!

Getting back to this click. See, I do have a friend. He’s like me. We have Jesus in common and we can’t wait to talk about Him when we speak to each other every day. No, it’s not a bromance. It’s a love of Jesus. We’re Jesus freaks! What’s a Jesus freak? Well, someone who loves Jesus more than you do. So, every day we talk endlessly about Christ. And, it never gets boring, in fact, it’s exhilarating. Can’t stop. Sometimes, the conversation leads us to discover new truths about what God has revealed to us. Sometimes, it’s just about how BIG He is. Sometimes, we just stop and reflect on how awesome He is. There’s a lot of discussion about verses in the book, you know, the Bible. Yeah, a lot of people think it’s just a fairytale book or a good source of moral teachings. Still others, well, they think the book is cruel and unjust, and just plain wrong. I’m not here to convince anyone about anything. You know why? That’s not my job. Yes, not my job. That’s above my pay grade. That’s God’s job. I’m just here to tell you how I feel about Jesus and what He’s done in my life. Come to think of it, that’s exactly what my friend thinks as well. See, we have the same God inside of us and that’s cool. 

It’s called being rooted. Being rooted means being established deeply and firmly in something or someone. When you think of God (the Father) being the Vinedresser, Jesus is the vine and the believer is the branch. See, your rooted. You can do nothing without Jesus. Being rooted means that Jesus is your life and you solely dependent on Him, otherwise you wither and die. Being rooted means that you no longer occupy the first place in your life, Jesus does. There’s no plan B. All preoccupation is on Christ. He handles all your affairs. Being rooted means God is in the driver’s seat and your back seat letting Him take control. Being rooted means your trust and love for God supersedes any love you would have for any other thing or anyone else, including yourself. That means family as well, including your husband or wife. Being rooted means you give up your life for Christ as He gave up His life for you. The thing is, you don’t have to go through the misery, torture, and sacrifice He did for you. Yes, being rooted means you give up your perceived freedom to get guaranteed eternal freedom with God. See, being rooted to God is fellowship. That’s what the click is all about with my friend. That’s the special nature of our friendship. That’s why it’s beyond love or anything that the world could possibly give us. The click is being rooted in Christ. Are you rooted?