Green Thumb

Scripture to Ponder:

Psalms 1

John 15

Flowers and plants are incredibly beautiful. I love to watch them grow and bloom and bring color to the world around us. What a spectacular opportunity to see God's beauty in every detail. If nurtured correctly, some have quite long lifespans.

Insert me...

When I am left responsible, they last a week. Maybe I'm exaggerating or being dramatic, so I'll give them 2 weeks of survival to be generous. I begin with the best of intentions, but then I get busy and distracted. My mind is running in a hundred other directions, and before it can circle back around to watering, it's far too late for resuscitation. The leaves have wilted and the blooms lay scattered on the ground, along with my hopes and dreams of their survival. I clean the mess up and think to myself, maybe next year.

Hmmm, do we have any areas of our lives where this pattern seems familiar: the great intentions and a start, but soon the intentions are forgotten and it dwindles out? Just as plants require nutrients to flourish and remain rooted, so does our spiritual growth. It requires that it be tended to for it to become fruitful.

Sweet sister, there's a reason his word is referred to as daily bread. We have to be connected daily for our relationship to grow deep roots. Now, these aren't like the grey roots starting to appear at my hairline, nope, these are deep roots in our relationship with Christ that strengthen and sustain it. They keep us grounded in Christ, regardless of circumstances we may be facing. He is the firm foundation we become deeply rooted in. When the roots take hold, the plant can bloom and begin to bear fruit. Storms will come but deep roots stay grounded. What beautiful imagery!

Let me give a glimmer of hope here friend, it's attainable!!! That deeply rooted, connected relationship with Christ is within your reach. You see, I became determined that I was going to be diligent with plants. I researched, I readied their soil, I placed the planters in adequate sunlight, I planted them at the right time, I watered them daily, I fed them weekly, and they not only survived but flourished. I had mounds of bell peppers and cucumbers and my flowers vined from the ceiling to the floor. I was exuberant! All I had to do was slow down and dedicate my time and attention.

Our spiritual growth can begin to grow too, if we tend to it. If we slow down and make our relationship with Christ a priority, those deep roots will begin to take hold. We will begin to grow as he reveals new truths to our hearts through his word and the Holy Spirit. How amazing is our God that he can take us from the soil of the ground and change us to become beautiful and fruitful for his glory! May we encourage our sisters in Christ to grow in their personal relationship with him and lift each other up as we all are growing together!

Questions to Ponder:

1) Is my relationship with Christ grounded or do I need to put in the work to begin growing deep roots?

2) Is there evidence of my relationship bearing fruit?

3) How am I encouraging my sisters in Christ in their personal walk with Christ?