What does it mean to be a rooted person?

We talk a lot about roots here on the Live a Rooted Life Blog. And that’s because we deeply desire all Christ-followers to become more rooted. Today, we get to the root of what it means to be rooted (no pun intended). Although there are many different ways that someone’s roots will develop over their lifetime, there are two traits all rooted people have in common: 1) they impact lives, and 2) they build a legacy on Christ.

Why Rooted?

Over the years, Kayla and I have spent countless hours talking about the qualities of a rooted person. It’s a metaphor that is RICH with meaning!

About nine years ago, the Lord gave Kayla a vision as she was reading Isaiah 61:3

“They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.”

Immediately, her vision was clear. The world was covered in a forest of mighty oak trees with incredibly deep roots. The oak trees represented deeply rooted Christ followers who were confident in their faith, steadfast in their love of Christ, and unshakable through life’s storms. Because of the health of their root systems, they were tall trees with big branches that reached out wide to impact lives.

As she shared this vision with me, I knew that God was calling us (as a couple) to co-partner with Him in deepening the roots of His people. This has led us to what we are all about today here at Legacy Roots Co.

Qualities of a Rooted Person

So what does it look like to be a rooted person? To be someone who is an “oak of righteousness on display for God’s splendor?” as it says in Isaiah 61:3.

When I’ve asked others, “What do you think it means to be a rooted person?” most usually pause. Their eye contact goes off into the distance as they reflect. I know what they are thinking and feeling- because it’s universal. It’s almost as if you feel the depth of the answer before the words come.

Immediate feelings of peace and warmth come over someone as they contemplate what it means to be rooted. I have found that the term “rooted” resonates with everyone on a soul level. It’s because the Lord created all of us to be rooted…rooted in Him.

What about you? What comes to mind when you think about what it means to be a rooted person?

Perhaps words or qualities come to mind, such as:
anchored
steadfast
loyal
honest
centered
faithful
unshakable
emotionally healthy
authentic
joy-filled
peaceful
reliable.

While all of these words may be a quick way to describe a rooted person, here is what we know:

A rooted person is building their legacy and impacting lives through the overflow of their relationship with Jesus and the depth of their character.

Two Principles of Being a Rooted Person

At Legacy Roots, Co., we plant our flag on these two principles. 

1. We believe that being rooted in God (our Creator, Designer, and Lover of our souls) is the only way you will leave a meaningful legacy and fulfill your ultimate purpose.
2. The depth of your character will determine the depth of the positive impact you will make and the legacy you will leave.

If you made it this far into this article, chances are that you either know Jesus or you desire to know more about Him! You also likely have been impacted by a rooted person in your life, even if briefly.

I know we have! We are so grateful that God has placed so many deeply rooted people in our lives…even if just for brief moments.

It’s essential that as we grow our roots deeper, we build relationships with other rooted Christ-followers. They model what it looks like to be a rooted person, which in turn helps us to learn how to grow our own roots deeper.

Allow me to share with you two rooted people who have made a deep impact on our family. I pray that these examples not only inspire you but also encourage you to reflect on the rooted Christ followers in your own life.

Grandma Mary Jo

I was adopted at birth, and although it was a closed adoption, my biological grandmother, Mary Jo, consistently wrote to me every year. She continually prayed for me and everyone in her family. I’m so grateful I had the great opportunity to meet her when I was in college, a few months before she unexpectedly passed away. Her eyes were full of genuine warmth, her smile exuberated joy, and she had such genuine interest and care. I’ll never forget her love for God. 

I couldn’t attend her funeral, but I heard that many shared stories about how she wrote cards to them for years full of encouragement and scripture. 

I’ve since built a beautiful relationship with my birth mom and family, and I’ve always marveled how there isn’t a single person whose eyes do not well up with tears when sharing memories about my Grandma Mary Jo. They recall the depth of her love and her great interest in who they were as individuals. They knew she was sincere in her prayers for them.

I have complete confidence that God answered her faithful prayers, and the evidence is displayed in my deep faith and my family. I also see how her character has cultivated a family culture that loves each other deeply and unconditionally.

Great Aunt Norma

The second rooted person that has profoundly impacted our family is Norma Vondra. Aunt Norma is in her late 80s, and we are still blessed with her here on earth. She is my wife’s great-aunt. That’s right, great aunt! How many of us can name our great aunts, let alone have spent significant time with them?

Her impact on my wife and our family has been so profound! We even named our second daughter, Ella-Norma, in honor of her.

When Kayla was a teenager, Aunt Norma shared her faith and encouraged Kayla’s beginning walk with the Lord. Aunt Norma continues to come alongside her and continues to pray, inspire, and encourage Kayla. And as Kayla’s husband, I’m blessed to be a beneficiary of the spiritual fruit from Aunt Norma’s walk with Jesus, too. 

Her love for Jesus is so deep, and it’s contagious! The song “Give Me Jesus” is the soundtrack of her life:

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus
And when I am alone
Oh, and when I am alone
And when I am alone, give me Jesus

Aunt Norma wrote out her entire testimony and journal entries and gifted them to us several years ago. It is one of our most treasured items. Reading this rooted woman’s faith journey is inspiring, and there is much to learn from this wise woman who has gone before us. She shared in her journal about a message she received from the Lord in 1983:

“Put your trust in Me. Listen to My voice. Do not be moved by the trials in your life. You will overcome and it will be a victory that I can do. Battles will not stop, but you will find them easier to understand. I will make you more than a conqueror. Changes will bring joy to your life.”

Aunt Norma has a deep love for people groups worldwide, and when you are in her presence, she is genuinely and fully curious about you. She truly is an example to us of what it means to love God and love people. She is a deeply rooted Christ follower.

Your Rooted Legacy

Although my children never met my Grandma Mary Jo, and they will most likely only have vague memories of Great Aunt Norma, these women’s legacies live on through our family.

Our children will understand the power of prayer because of what these legendary women have modeled to us. What these ladies have taught us by their character and love of Jesus will be passed down for generations to come. And our children will honor these elders and look up to them because we have intentionally soaked in their wisdom. 

When you get serious and intentional about growing your roots deeper in Christ and your character, the influence of your impact is unforgettable! Your legacy is one of depth.

Your legacy goes beyond you. You will never know the total impact you have on this side of eternity, but I hope that today- I have painted the picture of what it looks like to leave a rooted legacy for generations to come. 

Self-reflection/Journaling questions:

1. Who is a rooted person in your life? What makes this person rooted?

2. How can you follow in their footsteps and leave an impactful legacy? 

3. Who could intentionally build a relationship with to facilitate growth in their relationship with Jesus?

Stay Rooted in Christ,
Christian

Go Deeper

Maybe you do not have anyone in your life that you would currently think of as “rooted.” Perhaps you did not grow up in the church, are new to your relationship with Jesus, or are not currently plugged into a church community.

If that is the case, we encourage you to read about the “mothers and fathers” of our faith– the faithful Believers who have gone before us in their walks with the Lord and have paved the way. Here are some recommended readings for you. These books share the stories of rooted Christ-followers that we admire, and reading about their lives will help you grow your own roots deeper.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero

The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas