2 Peter 3:18
Let me ask you this: When you plant a garden, you prepare the soil, you weed and clear it of debris and you make it ready to accept something that can grow in it. So you plant your seeds, or bedding plants, and then what do you do? Do you just go off on your own way and let them tend to themselves? Of course not. You water and feed them regularly, you keep the weeds at bay, you keep the bugs from them and you protect them, maybe even having to cover them if the temperature suddenly drops. Then soon you have a beautiful, healthy, flourishing plant.
So it is in the Christian life. Growth is necessary or the plant will wither and die. It must be protected from disease, weather, bugs of every kind and size, too dry or wet soil. We are that precious plant in God's garden. And we must be protected from all these things in the spiritual life, so that we too can grow, flourish, blossom and bloom and become the plant God intended - whether to give fruit to the hungry, shade to the weary, fragrance to the disheartened, or just for the pure joy of its beauty.
Growth is essential, for without it we wither and eventually die. We were bought with a price, the precious Blood of Jesus, but not so we can wile away the hours in frivolous pursuits... not so that we can cater to ourselves and our own and never look beyond our walls...and most certainly not so that we can look down our noses at those who are without these walls of protection. We have been called to bring others in - to propagate and continue birthing new believers.
Within are some stories of growth. Maybe you have one to add, for we each grow in our own way and at our own pace. Just so there is continual growth - our goal being to become like our precious Lord Jesus. Enter into this place and read of the growth of our gardeners. Let their thoughts awaken in you a sense of the need of growth in your own life. Ask the Father where, how and when this growth must take place for you. Continue always on the path of growing in Him. It is NEVER too late to begin.
Growing with you with His guidance and help,
Jeannie, ptl
