Day 1 — Planted

“Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

— Colossians 2:6–7 (BSB)

Picture a big tree the morning after a wild storm. All night the wind howled. Branches snapped. Leaves blew across the yard. Maybe a fence even fell over. But the tree is still standing. Why? Because of something you can’t even see: its roots.

Roots do two big jobs. First, they hold on. They grip the ground so tightly that even strong winds can’t knock the tree down. Second, they drink. Roots soak up water and food from the soil, so the whole tree can grow tall and strong. A tree with shallow roots falls over at the first big storm and dries up in the first hot summer. A tree with deep roots lasts for years and years.

When Paul wrote this letter to Christians in a town called Colossae, he used that same picture. He told them to be “rooted and built up in Him.” The word Him means Jesus. Paul was saying: Grow your roots deep down into Jesus. Hold on to Him. Drink from Him. Let Him be where your strength comes from.

Notice the first part of the verse too: “just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord.” Before a tree can grow roots, it has to be planted. The same is true for us. We get planted in God’s family by trusting Jesus, and next week you’ll learn all about how that happens. Once you are planted, the growing begins.

And here’s the good news: roots don’t grow in one giant leap. They grow a little bit every day, quietly, underground, when nobody is watching. That’s what these 30 days are for. Every time you read God’s Word, think about it and talk to Him, your roots go a little deeper.

Paul also says a rooted person is “overflowing with thankfulness.” When you really know how good God is, you can’t help saying thank You!

Storms will come. There will be hard days at school, sad days at home and scary days when you don’t know what will happen. But a rooted tree doesn’t have to be afraid of the wind.

Let’s start growing.

Think about it: What do you think “being rooted in Jesus” might look like in the life of someone your age?

Try this: Find a tree near your home, or a picture of one. Every time you see it this month, remind yourself: I’m growing roots.

Dear God, thank You for this new beginning. Over these 30 days, please help my roots grow deep in Jesus. Help me hold on to You when things are hard, and learn from You every day. Fill me up so much that I overflow with thankfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.