Theme:       ROOTED

By:               Abasiono, Ufot Jacob

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Text: “Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” — Colossians 2:7 (NIV)

1.     Introduction: The Miracle Beneath the Surface

In a world obsessed with speed, visibility, and instant results, we are tempted to measure success by how far we’ve gone — how high we’ve climbed, how many followers we’ve amassed, how quickly we’ve achieved our dreams. Yet Scripture, nature, and the testimonies of saints throughout history whisper a counter-cultural truth: Before you can go far, you must first grow deep.

Consider the Chinese bamboo tree — one of nature’s most profound teachers. For five long years, it shows no visible growth above ground. Day after day, it receives water, sunlight, and care, yet nothing seems to happen. To the impatient observer, it appears dormant — even dead. But beneath the surface, an intricate, expansive root system is being forged — silently, steadily, strategically. Then, in its fifth year, something miraculous occurs: the bamboo shoots upward, sometimes more than ninety feet in just six weeks. What looked like delay was divine preparation. What seemed like stagnation was sanctification. The secret to its soaring height? Its unseen depth.

This is not merely a botanical phenomenon — it is a spiritual principle. Colossians 2:7 declares: “Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Here, the Apostle Paul unveils the anatomy of authentic Christian growth: depth before distance, foundation before fruitfulness, rootedness before reach.

2.     The Parable of the Builders: Depth Determines Destiny

Jesus Himself underscored this truth in Matthew 7:24–27. Two men built houses — one on rock, the other on sand. Both structures looked identical — beautiful, functional, impressive. But when the storms came, only the house on the rock stood. The difference? Not the design, but the depth. The wise builder dug deep. The foolish one built fast.

So, it is with us. In our rush to be seen, promoted, or celebrated, we often skip the foundational work — the quiet disciplines of prayer, Scripture meditation, repentance, obedience, and character formation. We want the title without the training, the platform without the preparation, the fruit without the roots. But God’s economy doesn’t work that way. Storms always come — trials, temptations, failures, losses. And when they do, only what is deeply rooted will remain standing.

a)    Joseph: The Hidden Years That Forged a Governor

Few biblical figures embody this principle more vividly than Joseph. As a teenager, he dreamed of greatness — stars bowing, sheaves submitting. But before those dreams materialized, he endured betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and prison. Thirteen years of obscurity. Thirteen years of silence. Thirteen years where heaven seemed closed and God seemed distant.

Yet in those hidden years, God was not absent — He was architecting. Joseph’s character was being refined: his pride was stripped, his patience was forged, his faith was tested, his leadership was tempered. By the time Pharaoh summoned him from prison, Joseph was no longer a brash dreamer — he was a wise steward, a humble leader, a man after God’s own heart. His depth prepared him for his destiny. His roots sustained his rise.

b)    Jesus: Thirty Silent Years for Three World-Changing Ones

Even the Son of God submitted to this rhythm. Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” For thirty years, He lived in obscurity — a carpenter in Nazareth, unknown to the world. No miracles. No sermons. No crowds. Just daily obedience, hidden growth, and intimate communion with the Father.

Why? Because depth precedes destiny. Those thirty years prepared Him for three years that would alter the course of human history. If Jesus — fully God — embraced the season of preparation, how much more must we? Our culture glorifies the “overnight success,” but God cultivates the “over seasoned saint.” He is not in a hurry. He is building something eternal.

3.     The Anatomy of Deep Growth: How to Grow Downward

So how do we grow deep? Colossians 2:7 gives us the blueprint: Rooted. Built up. Strengthened. Overflowing.

1. Rooted in Christ — Like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:3), we draw life from abiding in Him. This means daily immersion in Scripture, not as a ritual but as relational nourishment. It means anchoring our identity not in achievements or approval, but in Christ alone.
2. Built Up Through Discipleship — Spiritual growth is not automatic; it is intentional. We are “built up” through sound teaching, accountability, and obedience. As Paul says, “as you were taught” — growth happens in the context of faithful instruction and community.
3. Strengthened in the Faith — Trials are not detours; they are training grounds. James 1:2–4 reminds us that testing produces perseverance, and perseverance produces maturity. Every hardship is an invitation to go deeper, not just get through.
4. Overflowing with Thankfulness — Gratitude is the thermometer of spiritual depth. Shallow souls complain; deep souls worship. When thankfulness overflows, it reveals a heart anchored in grace, not circumstance.

4.     The Danger of Shallow Success

History is littered with the wreckage of those who went far without growing deep. Samson had power but no self-control. Saul had position but no humility. Judas had proximity to Jesus but no surrender. They climbed high — but collapsed under pressure because their roots were shallow.

In our day, we see influencers, leaders, and celebrities rise rapidly — only to fall publicly. Why? Because fame without faith, gifting without godliness, and speed without stability are recipes for ruin. A building cannot rise higher than its foundation allows. A tree cannot bear fruit without roots. A life cannot sustain impact without intimacy with Christ.

5.     The Bamboo’s Dual Lesson: Flexibility and Fellowship

The bamboo teaches us more than patience — it teaches resilience and interconnectedness. Bamboo bends in the storm but doesn’t break. Why? Because its roots hold it firm, and its stalks are flexible. Spiritually, this means cultivating humility — the ability to yield without breaking, to adapt without compromising.

Moreover, bamboo grows in groves, connected by shared root systems. So, it is in the Body of Christ. We are not meant to grow in isolation. Acts 2:42 shows us the early church thriving through “the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.” Spiritual depth flourishes in community — where we are known, challenged, encouraged, and held accountable.

6.     The Call to the Hidden Season

• To the young person waiting for your breakthrough:
• To the believer in the desert season:
• To the servant labouring in obscurity:

Do not despise your “sleep” phase. Do not resent your “creep” season. God is not late — He is laying groundwork. Your prayers are not unheard — they are root-work. Your tears are not wasted — they are watering what will one day blossom.

  Psalm 92:14 promises: “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” That freshness comes from deep roots — roots fed by the Word, watered by prayer, strengthened by trials, and intertwined with the Body of Christ.

7.     Conclusion: The Promise of the Leap

The bamboo’s explosive growth was not magic — it was the result of years of faithful, unseen labour. In the same way, your “leap” is coming — not because you hustled harder, but because you rooted deeper. Not because you impressed the world, but because you abided in Christ.

Colossians 2:7 is not a suggestion — it is a strategy for sustainable, Spirit-empowered living. Rootedness leads to resilience. Depth leads to durability. Hiddenness leads to harvest.

So, plant yourself in Christ. Let His Word be your soil. Let His Spirit be your strength. Let His people be your grove. And when the winds of adversity blow — and they will — you will not be uprooted. You will bend, but not break. You will wait, but not wither. And when God says “Go,” you will not just go far — you will go firm, fruitful, and full of thanksgiving.

• Greatness above begins with depth below.
• Your invisible work today is building your visible impact tomorrow.
• Grow deep. Stay rooted. Trust the process. Your leap is coming.

— 🌱 Before you go far, grow deep. 🚀

Abasiono Ufot

abasiono@gmail.com

13th September, 2025

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