Week Five: SEEDS
Monday / Planted
Read Psalm 1: 1-3 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Think
In the winter, the Weather Channel is filled with images of neck-high snowdrifts and tales of sub-zero temperatures. These are weather’s extreme hardships, dangers and trials. Yet there are people who willingly live in these areas: Oswego, NY with 72 inches of snow in two days, International Falls, MN with winter temperatures rarely reaching above freezing.
One question echoes in my mind as I see these images: Why in Heaven’s name would someone live in a place like that? But the answer isn’t really surprising. They live there because that’s where their lives are. Perhaps they grew up in such a town, or maybe their job took them there. Whatever the reason, these people are growing where they were planted.
The Psalm says that those who delight in God are like trees planted in exactly the right place. They will be healthy and fruitful, and everything they do will be blessed. If I’m faithful to God, my life will prosper for God no matter what I go through or where I find myself.
God may have put me in a place or circumstance that’s unpleasant. God may have allowed me to wander somewhere hard to deal with or downright painful. But I try to remember, God didn’t stick me here and go off to leave me alone. God promised me to always be with me, and this is certainly a promise I can live by—even when it feels like 42 degrees below zero in my heart.
Pray
Dear God, Creator of all growing things, thank you for putting me right where I am. Thank you for loving me no matter what I get myself into. Help me to be aware of your Presence. Help me grow my roots deep into the river that is your Spirit. Continue to hold me so that in all I do I can bear fruit for you. Amen.
Do
Did you start those seeds a week ago? How are they doing? It’s possible nothing has happened yet; some seeds can take two or three weeks to germinate. Think back on a time in your life when you felt stuck in an uncomfortable place. Like you were just stuck in a dark spot of potting soil, waiting to grow up and see the sun. Like it was taking you forever to get where you wanted to be. Look around you now. How has God moved in your life, giving new growth and light where there was only cold and darkness? Keep watering those seeds. Wait patiently. Thank God for new growth that happens at just the right time.
The View from Mt. Hope 