I bought a plant. To be more specific, I bought the node of a plant that will hopefully grow into a full plant. I am very excited about this node that will hopefully turn into a plant, because it is going to turn into a very beautiful plant (in my opinion).
The problem is that I look at this node every single day and I don’t think it’s growing. It doesn’t look like it’s dying, but it also doesn’t look like it’s growing either. My daughter knows I’m obsessing over the growth of this plant, and she walked past it the other day and said to me, “Dad, I don’t think it’s growing.” I don’t think she knows how very little I appreciated that comment. 
As I was looking at it over this weekend, I was reminded of the common expression, “a watched pot never boils”. Or in terms of this node, I’m not going to see the changes if I keep looking at it all the time.
At about the same time I was reading on a Facebook group about plants and how if you prune from the bottom you must prune from the top. In other words, if you trim the root system you must also trim the leaves or branches to accommodate the plants loss of ability to maintain, let alone grow what it had with a larger root system.
Which got me to thinking that obviously the reverse must be true. While I may not see obvious results of a leaf growing on the top of the node there may be a root system developing underneath. That root system will then help the development of the leaf that I really want to see grow.
I believe we can also apply these same principals to our faith life. If we’re constantly looking for results in our faith on a moment by moment, or day by day basis, we may not see huge results. Not seeing those results might discourage or disappoint us. However, there may be lots of little things going on inside that are working to help establish a good root system or a good foundation for each of us to grow deeper in our faith.
The same may be true for when we have what some people refer to as ‘mountaintop experiences’ or profound experiences of faith. After that experience people tend to wan to replicate it so that we can stay in that moment. What we need to realize in that time also is that while that new leaf has just sprouted (faith moment), even then we need to allow the roots to grow stronger and deeper to accommodate for that new leaf.
While I am trying to not be discouraged by my node, I am also hopeful that it will eventually have enough strength to push its first leaf. So too, I am hopeful that when we need the strength or encouragement in our faith, we can turn to our God who is our ultimate strength and source of life. As well as being able to turn to one another to receive the nourishment we need to continue to dig deeper in our relationship with God and one another.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – NIV
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
