I was talking with one of our neighbors last night about what motivated him to move here,” Stan began one morning.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“He said they used to live over in Centerville, but he and his wife didn’t particularly like it. They had spent time here looking around, and the more they saw the more they liked. Finally they decided to put their roots down here.”
“Have they been happy with that decision?” I asked.
“Seems so,” Stan replied. “And my neighbor said the same thing happened when they were looking for a church after they moved here.”
“What same thing?”
“That they looked around, visited several of the local congregations, and finally settled on one they chose to make their home.”
“Church shopping?” I asked.
“Not so much that,” Stan replied, “more about being clear where to put down roots.”
“Put down roots?”
“Yeah,” Stan said, “Jesus talked about the importance of having roots in order for our faith and relationship with God to grow more deeply. Without a church body to help with the growing there will be no growth in my faith walk. Jesus put it in terms of the seeds that have been planted will be ‘scorched’ rather than growing. All because of the lack of roots.”
“Scorched?” I responded. “Like being burned up? That’s a pretty vivid image!”
“Jesus was and is good at that,” Stan replied. “Just have to listen, pay attention, and then obey by putting down the roots that God intends!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:5-6. (See also Matthew 13:3-6.)
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of all I need to grow in my faith and my relationship with you. I confess that too often I do not choose to grow with you more deeply because I choose to do other things apart from you. Please forgive me. And please help me in following your lead into a deeply-rooted relationship with you, a relationship that only grows so I am protected from all that may seek to scorch that relationship. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: How deeply rooted is your faith? Is your relationship with God in Christ growing ever deeper and closer? If no, why? If it is, how are you pursuing that, and is it a pursuit you would be willing to share with others who may need help? If so, what would that look like? Is that something you would like to do? Something God would like you to do? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 