Rooted to Rise: The Power of Staying Planted in God
Psalm 1:1–3, Jeremiah 17:7–8, John 15:5 (NLT)
We live in a world that rewards the quick fix, the instant answer, the overnight transformation. But in the Kingdom of God, growth doesn’t always come fast—it comes from being faithfully planted. Psalm 1 reminds us:
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” — Psalm 1:1–3 (NLT)
That’s not just poetic—it’s a divine pattern.
In spiritual life, too many of us are looking for fruit without roots. We want peace without prayer. Purpose without pruning. Power without presence. But Scripture reminds us: if we want to rise, we must first be rooted.
What Does It Mean to Be Rooted?
To be rooted in God means to anchor our lives in His Word, His will, and His ways. Jeremiah 17 gives us this promise:
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NLT)
Being rooted doesn’t mean storms won’t come; it means we can withstand them.
Just think of the bamboo plant. For the first several years after it’s planted, there’s no visible growth above ground. It can sit in the soil for four, sometimes even five years—silent, still, seemingly dormant. But underground, its root system is spreading wide and deep, preparing to support explosive growth. And when the time is right, that same bamboo can grow over 3 feet in a single day.
Some of us are in our rooting years—and it’s not a delay, it’s preparation.
Jesus Said, “Abide.”
In John 15, Jesus doesn’t ask us to strive—He tells us to remain:
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NLT)
Fruit is the byproduct of connection, not performance.
Being planted is not passive. It’s active trust. It means staying in place even when life feels uncertain. It means committing to community, even when convenience tries to pull you away. It means obeying when you’d rather rush ahead. Full Life Gospel Assembly has modeled this kind of rootedness for nearly 30 years—and that’s why we’re still bearing fruit, even in new soil.
Practical Ways to Stay Planted
If you're wondering how to “stay planted” in real life, start here:
Stay in the Word. Don’t just read Scripture—let Scripture read you. Meditate daily, even if it’s one verse.
Stay in prayer. Prayer roots us. It brings heaven's perspective to earthly problems.
Stay in fellowship. Even virtually, community matters. Join prayer calls, check on one another, serve together.
Stay in purpose. Use your gifts, your story, and your service to glorify God—wherever you are.
Rooted People Still Bear Fruit
You may feel like you’ve been in the same place too long. Or maybe life uprooted you through loss, grief, or change. But remember this: God never wastes a planting season. Like bamboo, you may not see results yet—but when the time comes, the growth will be swift and undeniable.
At Full Life, we’ve seen buildings come and go. We’ve said goodbye to beloved saints. And still—we are planted. Still—we bear fruit. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, help us stay planted in You. Let our lives be rooted in love, watered by Your Word, and fruitful in every season. Whether we’re in a sanctuary or on a conference call, help us abide in You—and grow.
Amen.
