I went outside to take a walk a few days ago. The sun was warm. The sky was blue. I was listening to some praise music as I walked. As I looked down at the sidewalk, I saw a tiny green plant growing among the cracks. The flower that was blooming on this little plant was delicate and beautiful. It was open wide, enjoying the sunlight as I was.
In my mind came the thought of what this flower might be like in rich, fertile soil where its roots would not be confined by anything and it would be well watered. How big would it grow? How deep would its roots be? Would it have multiple blooms on the plant?
As I contemplated this little plant, God brought to mind these thoughts. Am I like the little plant with shallow roots that only blooms a little, or am I like a well-watered plant with roots that go deep, and my life blooms under God’s rich care?
I am only able to grow deep roots in my life because my life belongs to Jesus. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later. In doing so, He defeated sin and death for me. In Him I believe. He is my Lord and Savior.
To bloom for God is a great honor. Showing His love, mercy, and grace in full bloom to others is what I want to do. Yielding my life to Him to use as He has planned ensures that the fruit I bear is rich and ripe.
In John 15, we are told that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. When we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit for Him. God is the gardener who prunes the branches. Those that are bad, He cuts off and burns. But those who are in Jesus will grow into mature fruit.
Abiding in Christ means accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Then, as we grow under His guidance, we become mature and fruitful followers. Our roots are well established in Him, as Colossians 2:7 states: "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) will grow and be evident for all to see in how we live our lives for our Savior. Our blooms will bring glory to God as they grow under His care.
So let us be like a well-watered tree whose roots are deep in Christ. Let God use our lives to bring Him glory in all we do and say. For He has good works for us to do that He planned before the beginning of time. Let us walk in His plans, for they are perfect as He is perfect.
(Psalm 1:3, Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 18:30, 2 Corinthians 5:14–15)