"…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
You feel spiritually shallow, but your feelings might be lying. You look at other believers and assume they have deeper roots than you. You doubt your progress because growth feels invisible. But if you're consistently showing up in God's Word, prayer, and community, your roots are stronger than your doubts. God's work goes deeper that you think.
Paul prays that believers would grasp something they can't fully see. He asks God to help them understand how deep Christ's love actually goes. He prays they'd be rooted and established in love so firmly that it fills them completely. Notice he's praying this for people who already believe. They're already rooted, but they need help seeing just how deep those roots actually go.
The roots you can't see are holding you right now. You might not feel spiritually mature. You might still struggle with the same sins. You might wonder if anything is actually changing. But roots grow underground where you can't measure them. God is doing hidden work in you that's deeper than you know and stronger than you feel.
Here's the diagnostic question: Are you using the means of grace? If you're regularly in God's Word, if you're praying even when it feels dry, if you're connected to God's people even imperfectly, then your roots are growing. God doesn't waste your faithfulness. Every time you show up, He's sending roots deeper into His love. Your consistency matters more than your feelings.
But if you've abandoned the means, your doubts might be telling the truth. If you've stopped reading Scripture, stopped praying, and isolated yourself from believers, then yes, your roots are shallow. Stop doubting what God already planted, but also stop pretending roots grow without nourishment. You can't neglect the means and expect FIRM roots. Honest assessment matters.
Paul describes being "rooted and built up in him" as something God does. You didn't root yourself when you came to faith. God planted you in Christ. And He's building you up right now even when you can't see it. Your part is to position yourself where God works. His part is to grow roots that go deeper than you realize.
Godseekers, don't let your feelings become your authority. If you're faithfully using the means God provides, your roots are deeper than you think. God's work in you is more secure than your doubts suggest. Trust that the roots you can't see are holding you through storms you didn't expect. FIRM roots grow in hidden places before they ever show visible fruit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for letting my feelings override Your truth. I confess that I've doubted Your work in me because I can't see it clearly. Thank You that my roots in Christ's love are deeper and stronger than I realize. Help me trust that You're growing FIRM roots in me even when I don't feel it. Give me faithfulness to keep showing up in Your Word, prayer, and community. Strengthen my confidence in what You're doing beneath the surface. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- Am I faithfully using the means of grace (Word, prayer, community), or are my doubts revealing genuine neglect that needs to be addressed?
- In what ways have I been letting my feelings determine my view of spiritual growth instead of trusting God's faithful work in me?
Step of Faith
Today, I will identify one area where I've been doubting God's work in me and will choose to trust His hidden process by consistently showing up in the means He provides.
