Sabbatical Radicals

Think for a minute about roots. What comes to mind as you think about roots?  Roots are typically hidden beneath the ground. Though out of sight and often forgotten they are crucial to the life and health of the plant or tree. The roots absorb the water and nutrients that the tree must have to survive and bear fruit. The roots anchor the plant so that it may weather storms and remain grounded and stable. The roots also store nutrients as well as prevent the erosion of the very soil that it lives in. Roots determine the life and productivity of the entire plant. 

Now think about the word radical. What comes to mind? 

The word radical comes from the latin word radix which means "of or pertaining to the roots or having roots." It is also the word from which we get radish which is a delicious root vegetable which was creatively named "root." 

To be radical is to be rooted. 

This time away is, for Natalia and I, of and pertaining to our roots. We have grown and bore fruit, we have been pruned and weathered storms and we are grateful for the roots that have nourished and stabilized us.  During our time away we are turning our attention away from fruitfulness and concentrating on growing our roots as deep and wide as possible. We pray that as we go deep with Jesus and each other we might find richer sources of nutrients and grow ever more stable. 

We are getting down to the roots and going deep. This sabbatical is all about being radical.