March 2026 Writen by Amy Davies
Welcome to our first Flourish of 2026. Today we will continue to explore what it is to be ‘Rooted and built up in Him’, Colossians 2:7.
Built Up in Times of Trial
To be ‘built up’ is to be encouraged, strengthened, lifted higher - as we live out our lives with Jesus, rooted in His loving word, we are transformed to His likeness. We are empowered and nourished to grow. In the world, we might consider the idea of being ‘built up’ to coincide with success and increase - in finances, status, possessions. Yet God’s Kingdom is often considered topsy turvy, and His means of strengthening us looks quite different.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and recall our Roots session from May last year, when we were joined by Moorlands lecturer Abi Macguire who led us brilliantly through the story of Mary, Martha and the death of Lazarus found in John 11:1-44.
We meet the trio in Bethany, where we find Lazarus sick and his worried sisters sending word to Jesus. I imagine they hoped he would come, prayed he would heal, trusted he would not let them down. Yet Jesus, upon hearing the news chose to stay where he was for two more days before making a move. Imagine these sisters, waiting expectantly, hearts hopeful, I wonder - did their flame of faith grow dim as the hours went by, day after day, still no Saviour, watching their brother's own flame extinguish? Haven't we all been there? Strong in faith, expectant in prayer, only to feel doubt creep in as the days, weeks, perhaps even months or years pass us by without seeing the answer we envisaged.
As Abi so beautifully shared with us, Jesus' motivation to stay put, to remain silent, was not and never is due to lack of compassion. This passage clearly tells us, Jesus loved - therefore He stayed. In the waiting, in the tension of hoping yet doubting, Jesus is preparing our hearts, strengthening our resolve, allowing time and space for our spiritual growth and refinement. His motivation? Whether He stays or He comes, His heart is for you, love relentless and unchanging, and it all rests in glorifying God.
The Choice is Our
So when we think of those times of challenge, this passage offers us a choice. Will we allow our thoughts to spiral, to let hopelessness shroud our faith, or will we soak up the truth of this encounter to enable our perspective to remain positive? Always for us, never against us - our Lord has a purpose in the pain, is dependable despite delay. When the pressure’s on and we can’t see the way, we can drown in doubt, or we can be built up by standing on the firm foundation of His Word, building our house upon the rock of Truth.
In the beginning God gifted each of us life - with life comes responsibility and freewill to. choose as we please. If we know life may not be as easy as we might hope, perhaps it isn't God, but us, who has the responsibility to be actively prepared by nurturing the soil in which our roots will grow. After all, the Bible doesn't promise us a life of frills and fairytales - John 16:33 promises us that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I strongly believe that God speaks through His living creation, and as I've delved into the system of roots, I've seen a story unfold that speaks to our own lives. We all know trees have roots that grow deep underground. Yet if the soil is poor, the tree will suffer - stunted growth, yellowing leaves and risk of disease and wind damage. Inadequate soil quality restricts root development, limits access to essential water and nutrients and causes drainage issues - all of which leaves the tree unable to reach its full potential. As with us - we cannot grow deep roots if we don't prepare a suitable environment to grow in. The parable of the sower found in Matthew 13 teaches us the same truth:
I wonder what quality the soil of our hearts is today? I love how God meets us just where we are. As I write, I feel my own heart full of weeds. Overgrown with the pain of relentless pressures and disappointments, one step forwards, ten steps back. Yet I hear the whisper of God encouraging me, empowering me, to make a change. Did you know that a tree, too, can contribute to the standard of soil in which it grows? Let's draw some correlations:
A tree contributes to soil health by:
● providing nutrients by absorbing them from the soil and transferring them back through leaf litter, enriching the soil with essential elements.
● enhancing soil structure by growing deep roots, breaking up compacted layers and improving aeration and water retention.
● nurturing and supporting microbial life.
We can contribute to our own soil health by:
● responsibly feeding ourselves the truth of God's Word, preparing our hearts and minds to trust Him in deeper ways, which will ultimately impact the hearts of those around us as they witness us living out our faith.
● choosing to spend time in God's presence, forming deep roots that will break down strongholds, loosening layers upon layers of hurt, guilt and pain, quenching the dry desert lands buried deep inside as air and living water begin to flow.
● looking outwards, nurturing others; encouraging, serving, sharing life, which in turn blesses our own hearts.
Yet without cultivating the soil of our hearts, we risk becoming the dry, rocky, thorn-ridden land, choking God's word in bitterness, sorrow and pain. I know it all too well, and it certainly stunts our growth.
For the Glory of God
As we read on through John 11:17-37, we hear the pain of Martha and Mary as they meet Jesus four days after Lazarus was placed in the tomb. Both make the same remark "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Yet this time, it is Martha who speaks faith and trust in her Lord and Saviour. I wonder whether she had spent time cultivating the soil of her own heart, following her mis-managed expectations in Luke 10:38-42, as here we see real transformation - the kind only Jesus can bring!
Interestingly, Jesus responds differently to each of these precious women. His encounter with Martha’s disappointment directs a theological debate, whilst Mary’s sadness prompts an outpouring of emotion from Jesus - deeply moved and troubled by the destructive power of sin. In both cases, Jesus demonstrates His perfect presence of compassion. Jesus responded to each with exactly what they needed, rebuilding their faith and trust in Him. What a lesson - if we come as we are, give Jesus what we have, with open, honest hearts - He will meet us right in that place of vulnerability and minister to us in such a personal way - no two the same - rooted in relationship with His child.
The story ends with Jesus’ command to open the tomb. These sisters have been through a lot, they trust in their Saviour, yet they are human: “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” No matter what the quality of our heart's soil, we will come up against opposition. But it is our responsibility to stand on His word, built up through faith, belief and obedience in Him.
Ultimately, the tomb was opened, Lazarus was raised from the dead, grave clothes removed and God was glorified. Had Jesus come as requested, Lazarus would have been healed - miraculous, yes, yet how much greater the glory to God to witness to the crowd His resurrection power!
The message?
Cultivating the soil of our hearts opens the door to faith and obedience, strengthens our resolve in times of testing and enables us to stand firm and be built up on the solid rock of Jesus, flourishing from seed to stature. In the silence, God is working, and He will be glorified! It isn’t easy, but perhaps it’s time to remove the graveclothes of despair and replace them with a garment of praise, trusting in the timing of the one who loves you most.
