Rooted and Grounded in Love

In last week's episode of World of Dance, young contestant Eva Igo blew away the judges -- and me, too. She is incredible -- a strong, grounded, emotional, moving performer! Guest judge, Misty Copeland, critiqued her performance, saying that Eva's footwork was extraordinary. Misty had commented to other contestants that their feet were an afterthought, which distracted her from their performances. But Eva's feet were like "suction cups," which grounded her entire body, and made her performance unbeatable. 

I can't dance like Eva, but I have done some exercising that required being grounded, or I would topple to the ground. (Yoga, anyone?!) It's incredible how powerful a pose or movement can be if I first get grounded and stable. It takes practice, though. And when I perfect one pose or movement, then, and only then, can I move on to a more difficult pose or movement.

It's no different with emotional or spiritual groundedness. It's amazing how power my spiritual practices become if I first get grounded and stable. And when I perfect one practice, then, and only then, can I move on to a more advanced spiritual practice. No one comes out of the womb fully equipped with compassion, insight, self-awareness, understanding, a heart for service, ability to love unconditionally. We nurture our gifts over time. Or we don't. The more we practice these, the more we become grounded in love. And then, we can't be toppled by illness, apathy, job loss, divorce, or anything else life can throw at us.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.