Are you easily moved?
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
be steadfast, immovable,
always excelling in the Lord’s work,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58
I wouldn't try it. Those root balls can weigh up to 2000 pounds.
This was the advice of the tree expert at the local garden centre last weekend when we asked if we could move and plant the tree ourselves. He strongly recommended delivery and professional planting for the size we were looking at but he shrugged and said, you can always try.
The forklift that pulled the tree out of the mulch bed and dropped it onto our truck made it look easy. The operator said it was probably only about 600 pounds. No sweat, right? But when my husband and his friend (who is thankfully still his friend) were unable to budge the tree off the truck bed once we got it home, they knew they were in for some backbreaking labour.
They eventually got it done, but it was no easy task. They ended up having to tow it to the edge of the bed using another truck, and then call in some extra man power to slowly inch it to the backyard where it was to be planted.
Now we know through experience why the tree expert made the recommendation that he did. Trees with developed root systems are really hard to move.
In light of the promised resurrection, Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be steadfast and immovable, excelling in the work God has called us.
But how does one become immovable?
And may you, having been
[deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love,
be fully capable of comprehending
with all the saints (God’s people)
the width and length and height and depth
of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];
Ephesians 3:17-19 (AMP)
Paul explains that we become deeply rooted and securely grounded in the love of Jesus Christ as He dwells in us. And now we know that something that is deeply rooted is really hard to move.
How do we become deeply rooted and firmly established in the love of Christ?
1) Receive it. Come to Him when you least want to. Come when you feel least worthy. In the same way we receive any gift, we simply hold our empty hands open and simply say thank you. Thank Jesus for the cross that completely covers me.
2) Keep believing it. The love of Christ isn't an offer that expires or a source that runs dry. His love for us reaches to the heavens.
3) Behave like you believe. How would someone who fully believes they are the beloved of God behave? They could live freely not because guilt says you should, but because grace says this is who you are. They would obey Him not to achieve His love but because they've already received it.
No one becomes instantaneously immovable. As we learned last week, growth is often slow. But if it is steady, we will eventually be deeply rooted, securely grounded, and immovable so we can carry out the work God has called us to.
