Roots and Wings

 

The phrase Roots and Wings is a metaphor which typically describes achieving a balance between stability and independence in child rearing. Roots provide the sense of belonging, of safety and a nurturing foundation. Wings suggest ability to soar, to take risks, to find one's feet in the world. 

For us as Christians, roots are what ground us in our faith and how we view the world. The values these inspire are part of what we carry with us as like young chicks, we fly the "nest" seeking to make our mark and achieve our ambitions. 

As Christian writers these foundations are even more important because regardless of age or social status we all of us share this common ground as well as putting down more familiar roots when we marry, have children and see the next generation move on.

Picture Credit: Art by Cedar Lee

When it comes to putting down strong roots I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower from the synoptic gospels. For example Luke 8: 4-8 and 11-15 illustrates the importance of establishing firm roots to allow the seed to grow and spread providing the soil is of sufficient quality to make it happen. As writers we too seek to be firmly established in whatever format or genre we express ourselves in. How often though have we set out full of enthusiasm, to create a piece of work which we hope will define our legacy only to be deflected by other distractions or issues? 

Perhaps like the seed which landed on the path and was swept away we quickly became bored or disillusioned by our efforts and decided to seek a better alternative. Or, did we become like the seed which landed on rocky ground and withered for lack of moisture due to lack of moral or emotional support such as provided by networking with others in a similar situation? Perhaps like the seed which landed among the thorns, our words and our motivation got swallowed up by the sheer quantity of similar material out there - especially in the digital age - making it harder for our voice to be heard or establishing our own USP which makes others take notice.

As any farmer or gardener will tell you, no matter how good the seed without the right conditions it will not grow to its full potential. As writers of a specific form of literature our seed is provided by the word of God which forms major part of our roots but getting it to grow wings is sometimes down to good luck rather than good judgement. We can take comfort from the fact that focusing on what we are good at, namely ensuring we continue to spread God's Gospel despite the hardships of the terrain we find ourselves in, will ensure we stay true to our roots at all times while we wait for the wings to bear the hoped-for fruit.

As Rev Alison Morgan quoted in her book, The Wild Gospel [1], "the core of our calling is to preserve and transmit the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ from generation to generation."

Our roots ensure we do not neglect this core function, perhaps we should leave the wings in God's hands!

[1] Rev Alison Morgan, The Wild Gospel, (Oxford: Monarch Books, 2004) p.187

Michael Cronogue originally from London still resides in Walsall in the Black Country region of the UK. Writer and blogger discussing matters of faith and theology on his website www.michaelcronogue.com He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Queen’s Foundation Birmingham, and is a Methodist Local Preacher serving various churches in the Black Country area, as well as a visiting preacher in parts of North and Southeast Cornwall.