Good morning…
Experiencing constant transformation, we are rooted where we are planted, we are undeniably interconnected, and we each grow up into God at our own rate over time. I love this photo which provides a visual expression of our individual lives extending up into the light of the Giver of life.
At the time God made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground—God hadn’t yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground (the whole Earth was watered by underground springs)—God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul!
Then God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil (Genesis 2:5-9, MSG).
We do not decide where God puts us. We do not choose the color of our skin, the family or zip code into which we are born, or the legal, political, educational, or religious system surrounding us. Beyond our power, we are planted in a place, with people, prejudice, and potential. Wherever we are rooted, the invitation is the same, “Over time, grow up into God.” We know that growing up is not pain-free for any of us. We push through starts and stops, spurts and spoilers, sunny days and stormy. Yet we are all in this life together with God.
“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”
Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time! How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it” (Mark 4:24-32, MSG).
Possibly Jesus’ most profound promise is this: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32, NIV). We are all designed to grow up into God, beckoned towards oneness with the resurrected Christ.
Our Creator, in unison with Christ, is the Initiator, the Pacesetter, and the Sustainer of all growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:7, NIV). Our spiritual growth, individually and collectively, is a God-thing, not a manmade thing. After our brief lifetime on earth …the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NIV). Wherever we land, wherever we live, we are wise to set our eyes on the final chapter of God’s organically growing story, recorded here in Revelation 22:1-5 (MSG).
Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.
May we each mirror God as we grow up, our living souls ruling with our shining Master, age after age after age.
…Sue…
P.S. Photo from Unsplash.com.
