Love is the foundation of our Christian faith. We know that Christ calls us to love God and love one another, but how do we truly practice love in our daily lives? How can we stay deeply rooted in love, especially when life’s challenges seem to pull us in every direction? In our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the transformative power of love. However, God invites us to stay rooted in this powerful virtue, much like a tree that draws its strength from deep roots near a stream of water.
This month, as we focus on the virtue of love, we turn to the powerful words of Jeremiah 17:7-8, which offer us profound wisdom on how to remain rooted in God's love—both for us and through us.
Scriptural Reflection
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB) states:
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
At first glance, this passage might seem to speak only about trust, but the underlying message connects deeply to love. When we trust in God, we root ourselves in His love, allowing that love to shape and sustain us. The tree metaphor in this passage provides a vivid image of what it means to live deeply in God’s love: we become like a tree planted near a stream, receiving nourishment and stability even in seasons of difficulty.
The connection to love here is clear: our ability to love—whether it’s loving God, others, or ourselves—depends on how deeply we are rooted in God’s love. When we draw near to God, His love fills us, enabling us to love others without fear or anxiety, even in times of trial. Love is not something we can muster up on our own, but rather, it is a fruit that grows from the depth of our connection with God.
In this passage, we are reminded that being rooted in God’s love provides the strength to love others. Just as a tree near water thrives and bears fruit, when we stay rooted in the love of God, we too will bear the fruit of love in our relationships and in our world.
Practical Application
1. Trusting God’s Love for You: To cultivate love, we must first accept and trust in God’s love for us. Sometimes, we may feel unworthy or unlovable, but God’s love for us is unconditional and unchanging. Spend time reflecting on God's love each day through Scripture and prayer. When you realize how deeply God loves you, it becomes easier to love others.
Practical step: Take five minutes every morning to meditate on God’s love for you. Read 1 John 4:9-10, which reminds us that God’s love is demonstrated through Jesus Christ, and thank Him for His love. As you do this, invite God to fill your heart with His love so that you can love others.
2. Extending Love in Relationships: The tree in Jeremiah is not just stable for itself; it yields fruit. Similarly, as we grow in God's love, it naturally extends to those around us. Love is an action, and we are called to actively love others in our relationships—whether with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers.
Practical step: This week, intentionally look for opportunities to show love to someone in your life. Maybe it’s a kind word, a small gesture of service, or an encouraging message. Love doesn’t have to be grand; even the smallest acts can have a profound impact on someone’s heart.
3. Remaining Rooted in Love During Challenges: Like the tree in Jeremiah, we will face times of heat and drought—difficult seasons where loving others can feel challenging. Yet, it is precisely during these times that we must remember the source of our strength: God’s love. In those tough moments, allow His love to sustain you.
Practical step: When facing challenges, pause and remind yourself that God's love for you is unshakable. Turn to God in prayer, asking for His help to love others even when it feels difficult. Trust that He will strengthen you and guide your actions.
Encouragement to Stay Rooted
It’s easy to feel discouraged in the journey of love. You may encounter situations that test your patience or challenge your ability to love others. You may even feel like you’ve tried and failed to live out love in your relationships. But I want to encourage you, beloved, that growth is a process. Just as a tree doesn’t grow overnight, neither does our capacity to love.
God is faithful to continue working in us, and as we stay rooted in His love, we will grow and bear fruit. Remember, even when you don’t see immediate results, God is doing something deep inside you. His love is at work, and you are becoming more like Christ each day.
Love is not just a virtue we strive for; it is the way God calls us to live—rooted in Him, drawing from the stream of His love. As you go through this week, remember that love is not about perfection but about progress. Each small step you take in love, each time you trust in God’s love and extend it to others, is a reflection of His grace at work in your life.
Take time today to reflect on God’s love and how He has been faithful to you. Allow His love to transform your heart and guide your actions, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that sustains us, strengthens us, and never fails. Help us to stay rooted in Your love so that we can love others with the same compassion and grace that You have shown us. When we face challenges, remind us that Your love is enough to carry us through. Strengthen us to love well, to be a reflection of Your love in a world that so desperately needs it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.