A while ago, in geography I learnt about mangroves. They’re pretty much everywhere you go. By the sea, around lakes and wharfs and even up at the shops… ok well maybe not up at the shops, but you get the idea. Mangroves are very common. But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they are any ordinary tree. You see, mangroves are very special. They are known for one thing: their roots. Their roots are both extensive and diverse and are so strong that it’s been said they can withstand tsunamis. What does that have to do with anything? Read on to find out more….
Last week’s reading was Ephesians 3. Paul writes, ”…Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong”. It isn’t the amount of trust you have, but simply the fact that you trust. Christ then makes his home in your heart and because of that, your roots grow. Where do they grow into? God’s love. Where your roots grow into, your foundation is just as important as how strong your roots are. God’s love will keep you strong. The strongest and most mature Christians aren’t necessarily the oldest. They are the ones who have trusted Christ and sunk their roots deep into God’s love. Be like a mangrove, trust in God and grow some strong roots.
What happens when roots are strong? The very next thing Paul writes is this: “May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide how long how high and how deep his love is”. God’s love is like an iceberg. Icebergs have a small tip, but most of it remains hidden underwater. In a similar way what we see of God’s love towards us is only the beginning. The deeper you delve, the more you realize that what you understand is only scratching the surface of how immense God’s love truly is. There is so much more. That’s why he goes on to write, “may you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully”. God’s love is so mind blowing that even after years and years and years, we can still be amazed by it.
What did you like about Ephesians 3? We'd love to hear what you learnt. Also, stay tuned for part 2 coming a little later in the week :)
Comments
The first thing I will say, Andy, is that I'm glad you brought up geography! Geography is the best subject around - all the coolest people do it! Mangroves are great - their roots are particularly amazing. They often extend over 30m away from the tree's base, this, as Andy has said, makes them really strong. They are also able to withstand environments which are more salty than the ocean - they persevere in tough conditions! They also have external roots called pneumatophores - there isn't really any spiritual significance I can draw from pneumatophores, except to say that God is an amazing creator! I could go on but I've realised a whole lot of people, sadly, just don't appreciate geography :(
Anyway - to more important things. Ephesians 3. Something that stands out to me in this chapter is the depth, breath, eternity and sheer bigness of God. It says "Now to him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than ALL we ask or IMAGINE, according to his power that is AT WORK WITHIN US..." God is so much bigger than we can comprehend, yet because he loves us and wants to be known by us, he has revealed himself to us, so that we may know him as his children. Mangroves are cool, that’s a given but God’s love – well, that is beyond words, “this love surpasses knowledge.” It’s not even worth comparing. The fact is, you can’t!
'My salvation and my honour depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.' Psalm 62:7-8
Wow I love it! Good tag teaming boys! I wish mangroves were up at the shops that would be cool!
I love the description of the dimensions of God's love - that it's dimensions surpass all knowledge. In other words, the is no way we can ever exhaust God's love in our exploration of it, no matter how much we dwell on it, there is always more of it to utterly blow us away. Our God is a mighty, infinite and awesome God...and so is His love. We see His love displayed for us on the cross. Amazing.
Loved last wednesdays deeper reading!
Ephesians 4
Living as Children of Light
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.