It is an oxymoron to think of something having roots and wings. It would seem that having one would negate the need for the other. After all, if something is rooted in, then what need would it have for flight? And if given wings, what need would it have to be anchored down? It is the paradox of God’s grace to us that we are gifted with BOTH roots and wings. And that we have an absolute need for both.

Roots serve two very important purposes…they absorb water and nutrients, the sustenance that is necessary for a plant’s survival. And they provide an anchor for the plant, so that it does not get tossed to and fro, but that it remains steadfast. Think about this in relation to God’s grace. Grace makes it possible for us to come to Christ, for us to drink from His cup. By connecting our lives to Him, we are able to receive true spiritual sustenance and as we seek that relationship with God, our roots grow deeper. The deeper our roots grow down into Christ, the more we are nourished spiritually and the stronger we become. These roots not only connect us to our life source, they anchor us as well. They empower us to remain steadfast in the storms of life, storms that are inevitable. And the deeper our roots, the stronger that anchor becomes. We are rooted not only by our relationship with Him, but by remembering. Remembering where we have come from, what God has delivered us from and delivered us to. Because in those roots is the history of our journey as well.

And the beautiful mystery is that the grace that gives us these nurturing and anchoring roots also gives us wings…gives us freedom. Because with grace comes the realization that it is not and has never been about what WE do. We cannot earn our way to Heaven, regardless of how much time and energy we put into trying. And the realization of that is a freeing one, because failure is no longer a possibility! The power lies in what Jesus did on the cross, and through His victory now grace is available to us. An unmerited gift – meaning that there is NOTHING we can do to deserve it, however He gives it regardless. And it is with humility that we can accept this gift of grace and spread our wings.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
 
Colossians 2:7
having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
 
Jeremiah 17:8
“For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”
 
Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.