Weekly Reflections to Help Bridge the Chasm

The Power of Being Rooted in Love

​The reflection I offer today is based on Ephesians 3:16-17. 
 
"I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love." Ephesians 3:16-17
 
Power and love, love and power dominate the themes of movies, novels, poems and plays.  The love of power has crashed empires and laid waist to entire peoples.  Powerful people have done some very hateful and evil things.  They were rooted in love of self.  Love and power shape what we are in our lives, our homes, our church and our country.  Power and love shape our worldview.  These themes run through this great prayer left to us by the Apostle Paul.  Paul’s prayer is that we be strengthened in our inner being with the power of the Holy Spirit.  This strengthening enables us to become rooted in the love of God.  Our power then is derived from God and not our own selfish ambition.  Zechariah 4:6 says that we are strengthened not by our own might or power but by the Spirit.  This is the basis of Paul’s prayer.
 
The Apostle is teaching us that prayer brings together love and power.  When we are truly rooted in love we become strengthened in the power of the Spirit.  From there, a relationship grows up and blossoms between God and us.  This flowering of God’s power through us empowers us to put down roots even deeper into His love.  This then is how God builds His home in us and strengthens.  And with God in us, our house is unmovable and secure on a foundation grounded in love and spiritual power.  By this we are capable of doing far, far more good than we could ever ask for or imagine.  Let our prayers always be an expression of love and self-surrender to God.  

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