What does it look like to become more securely and deeply rooted in Christ, to become confident in him? I think of how Eugene Peterson paraphrased Colossians 2:6-7 in The Message: 

“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been...

Most mornings I walk our dog, Lex, up and down our neighborhood street. A while back I noticed that one of our neighbors was getting rid of some shrubs in front of her home.

As time progressed I saw the dirt being prepared as dark plastic went down and bark chips went on. Then one day small plants were laid in a couple of nice rows. It was the start of something lovely.

However, soon after the flowers were planted, we had an unseasonable cold snap and more than half of the flowers wilted and...