The Curate writes…

Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6,7 Good News Bible

You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him. For you have been rooted in him and are being built up and strengthened in the faith, just as you were taught, while you overflow with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7 International Standard Version

Whether we have been a Jesus follower for one day or 50 years, these verses speak an eternal truth to us all. King Jesus, the Messiah, the anointed one, the enabled one –is who we need. I like the different shades of meaning that the different translations give us. Consider the first from the GNB. Live in union with him. How do we live in union with anybody? Well, it includes talking to them, understanding where they are coming from, sharing their hopes, dreams and ambitions. The same is true for living in union with Jesus. If we really do that with people, then we will go where they go too. It’s the same for us and Jesus. The CEV brings that aspect out ‘keep on following him’. Life with Jesus is never static although in him there is also rest and peace.

‘Keep your roots in him’ is evocative too and reminds us of Psalm 1:1-3. The picture above speaks of that. The scriptures are fulfilled in Jesus, He is the wisdom of God. Living his way is the only way really, and as we do it, we are putting roots into him.

Being stronger in our faith has a couple of aspects. One is learning to trust from our experience of him and one is actually knowing and understanding the apostles teachings (which involves doing them) more and more. And those teachings are about Jesus and all he achieved and who we are in him. Which naturally leads on to thanksgiving. The poor are made rich, the guilty set free, all sinners given a fresh start joyfully. Lots to be thankful for – and we could add the good things happening among us.

What are his hopes and dreams for each of us and the places and people we meet, work with and love? And for the world? How will we find out? Prayer, fellowship worship are key ingredients. It would be a mistake to think this is centred in us as individuals. Its about God’s kingdom coming on earth NOW. Being in his family, in the family business, of one heart and mind and whole hearted at that. And what a project to live for! There isn’t anything better or bigger.

Back to the verses. The more we are rooted in him, the deeper the roots go, the stronger we become, the more fruit can be grown. Big leafy plants have to have good root systems, so do we in Jesus. Lets immerse ourselves in him, together as well as secretly in the private place of prayer.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you.
God Bless
Dave