Being Grounded!

As I was growing up, one of the worst punishments my parents could deal out was for me to be grounded. To not be able to go anywhere other than church or school for a whole week (or two if I had been especially bad) was almost unbearable. Being grounded impacted me in a way that made me think seriously about my choices. Unlike other punishments that might be over and done with quickly, this one provided some extra time to think about what I would not do again. My parents’ ultimate intent in grounding me was to bring benefit to my life.

Though being grounded may have been very much against my personal desire, I do recognize the ultimate result was for good. Grounding can have a very positive side. We need grounding. We need something that restrains and causes us to give very serious thought to what our life choices are based on.

Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus to be inwardly strengthened by God …
“(17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith -- that you, being rooted and GROUNDED IN LOVE, (18) may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ( Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV)

The Greek word (themelioo) translated “grounded” is one which means to “lay a foundation”. What composes the foundation on which we are resting and building up our lives? What is it that we view as the support that provides a solid footing? It was “IN LOVE” that my parents grounded me so that I would learn to appreciate and LOVE that which is right. Paul’s mention of being “grounded IN LOVE” reveals that love can provide something very stable for life. Genuine LOVE compels us toward actions that benefit others while also restraining actions that might be inappropriate.

LOVE is a must for our life. (i.e. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Where would we be without God’s LOVE? ( Romans 5:8) Where would our life be headed without extending it? ( 1 John 3:10 & 14-15) LOVE should therefore be seen as basic to the foundation of our life. Because of the LOVE of my parents, they used grounding to help me lay a “foundation [(Gk.) themelion] of repentance” ( Hebrews 6:1) that would aid me in moving on in life with a proper perspective. May we continue to allow a LOVE for God (and His Will) and a LOVE for others to become the basis on which our life is lived. This would be having our life grounded in a good and proper way.

Have a great day WELL ESTABLISHED IN LOVE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love