TIME
TO GROW, originally written 5/29/10
Springtime
is all about planting. Farmers in our area have been busy seeding
their fields and stopped only because the wet weather has prevented
them from continuing. On a smaller scale, the two greenhouses in
town have been selling bedding plants which find their homes in
planters, pots and creative containers around town. As I observed
all the plants available, there were dreams of flower gardens in my
side and backyard, nicely arranged and planned to provide beauty and
bursts of color throughout the summer months. Then reality hit and I
wondered when the rain would stop long enough to get the few plants I
had chosen in the dirt.
Maintaining
plants requires a bit of discipline, with special attention paid to
whether or not they are in need of water. Having allowed myself one
hanging planter, there was now a daily routine of checking to see if
watering was required. It was looking quite beautiful with lots of
pink and burgundy blossoms. Then came the busy week. A flurry of
activities had us coming and going and suddenly I realized I had
missed my watering duty for a day. . .or was it two? As I looked out
the front door, I saw drooping flowers and curled up leaves. The
plant was desperately in need of hydration. . .but was it too late?
Quickly I drenched the plant and hoped it would come back to life
while I was away for the evening. Thankfully, the plant revived and
I've been more careful in the days since.
Tomorrow
the ladies of our congregation will be in charge of the church
service. The materials we received to put the service together
centered around the theme of “Thirsty?”, with the theme verse
coming from Psalm 42:2 where David said, “I thirst for God, the
living God”. Studying the lessons, I realized, much like the
hanging plant, my soul needed regular watering to insure beauty would
be reflected to those around me. As I reviewed the story of the
woman at the well in John 4, it was a blessing to realize the living
water offered by Jesus is still available to those who thirst today.
God
touched my life with one more “plant lesson” this week. It came
from the petunias awaiting their new home in the tiered planters by
our front steps. They have been moved back and forth, in and out of
our garage according to the weather of the day. They are obviously
at two different stages of growth, with the smaller plants looking a
healthier green. You could see the larger plants were becoming root
bound in the plastic containers and thus losing their color.
As
I contemplated their need to grow, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart
about our growth as Christians. Could there be a need to “spread
our roots” beyond the barriers of the church walls? It's one thing
to maintain our spiritual existence within the comforts of church
life. It's another to think about what could happen if we allowed
our “roots” to work their way through the “dirt” of our
world. With my plants, spreading roots means bigger and more
beautiful plants, eventually producing flowers to brighten the world.
Could the same hold true if we, as Christians, would break past the
barriers of tradition?
As
I write, the sun is breaking through the clouds and I'm thinking I
could even do some planting tonight. I'm thankful for the people who
planted the seeds and nurtured the young plants to this point. From
here on, they will be dependent on my care. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul
talks about planting, watering and growth. Though one person plants
the seed and another waters it, only God can make it grow. The same
holds true in the spiritual realm. Each of us has a task to do. Are
you a seed planter? Plant God's Word in the heart of those around
you and sow seeds of kindness. Are you one who waters? Find those
who are thirsty and offer them the living water of Jesus. Finally,
trust God will allow the growth to happen in His perfect way and
timing.
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