Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. May you have power with all God's people to understand Christ's love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. And may you know his love, even though it can't be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.

-Ephesians 3:17-19
 
As I was reading this familiar passage this morning, this part really stuck with me, "I pray that your love will have deep roots." What image comes to mind when you think of love having deep roots? Do you have a particular tree or plant that comes to mind and you can visualize how deep the roots go into the ground? Is it an oak tree or a mustard bush?
 
In Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, we hear that to know and be rooted in Christ's love, is to more fully be the people God has created and is calling us to be. We are empowered to be the best versions of ourselves. This passage reminds me of our call to pass on this message to the children and youth in our church as they are in the beginnings of their faith journey. Often a child's first experience of God's love is through the love of a parent. At baptism, we promise to partner with parents in planting the seeds of faith and nurturing them to establish deep roots. This Sunday, we are excited to share with you in Will's baptism at the 11:00 a.m. service. We have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the ways that our church family has already begun teaching him what God's love looks like.
 
Each of us has the opportunity to help others experience the width, length, height, and depth of God's love. What can you do to share God's love that is deeply rooted in you? Who has been a teacher or mentor along the way for you? What did they do that made an impact on your journey?
In a world where the pressure to succeed is high and many hear that they are only loved for as much as they can perform, Paul's reminder to us is even more relevant. We are called to share that God's love is unconditional and far exceeds the limits of this earth.
 
Go through your day knowing this good news and sharing it with all those you encounter.

Prayer for Today
 
Gracious God, Thank you for your gift of love. Help us to be open to experience your love and allow it to take root in our lives. In Christ's Name, Amen.