Rooted In Christ

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

One day after a chapel service at school, I made up my mind that I would be the last person to leave the fellowship hall. I remained behind, waiting patiently until everyone else had departed. Once I was certain that I was alone, I stepped outside. To my surprise, a classmate was standing near the entrance waiting for me.

I knew who he was, but we were not particularly close because he was not a regular participant in the fellowship. As we began to talk, he told me that he wanted to share something personal. He proceeded to describe a series of remarkable spiritual experiences, including angelic visitations, divine encounters, and occasions when he believed he had heard God's voice. As I listened, I was fascinated. Part of me wondered why he was sharing these experiences with me, especially since I had never experienced such extraordinary manifestations myself.

The conversation then shifted. He began speaking about the spiritual battles he was facing, the demonic attacks he believed he was encountering, and the personal weaknesses with which he struggled. After a while, he paused and said, "You are probably wondering why I am telling you all of this."

He explained that he had been praying and asking God for guidance. During prayer, he sensed that the Lord instructed him to go to the fellowship hall, wait for the last person to leave, and share everything with that person. According to him, I was that person.

He then took my hand and asked me to walk with him to a nearby field. When we arrived, he pointed to a patch of grass and asked me to pull up one blade. After I uprooted it, he asked, "What is the difference between the grass in your hand and the grass still rooted in the ground?"

I replied that the grass in my hand would soon wither and die, while the grass that remained rooted in the soil would continue to grow.

He nodded and explained that the Lord had used this illustration to speak to him. God was calling him to remain rooted in Christ and to continue following Him faithfully. If he failed to do so, he would become like the uprooted grass, disconnected from his source of life and destined to wither away.

His words struck me deeply. As I listened, I sensed that God was not speaking only to him; He was also speaking to me. The image of the uprooted grass became a powerful reminder that spiritual fruitfulness depends on remaining firmly rooted in Christ.

From that day forward, I became intentional about encouraging him in his faith. Even after we graduated from high school, I sought to maintain contact with him. Sadly, about three years later, he died following a violent confrontation at his workplace.

His death left a deep impression on me. To this day, I remember the uprooted grass and the lesson it represented. What began as a conversation meant for him became a message that has stayed with me throughout my own journey. Whenever I reflect on that experience, I am reminded that Christian leadership must be rooted in an abiding relationship with Christ. As Jesus taught in John 15, apart from Him we can do nothing. Effective and enduring leadership is sustained not by what we do for Christ, but by remaining connected to Him as our source of life, strength, and fruitfulness.