Over 20 years ago, I received a plant as a gift from a dear friend. Even though periodically I had to prune the dead leaves, I was surprised that I was able to keep the plant alive for about 10 years. However, when I saw that the leaves were more brown than green, I made the difficult decision to throw away the dying plant.
I didn’t want to throw away the large army green planter because of sentimental reasons so I just put the plant leaves in the trash and left the planter (with the dirt still in it) in the back yard. And I forgot about it for a few years. Until one day, I noticed that there were small green leaves peeking out of the top of the dirt in the planter. I did a double take thinking maybe the faint light of the early morning was playing tricks on my eyes. But, sure enough, there was a plant now growing in the planter!
However, what kind of plant was it? I thought I had thrown away all of the plant leaves and didn’t remember what kind of plant was originally in there. I also didn’t realize the soil had any seeds left in it. Just to be safe, I kept the planter outside and passed by it daily marveling at how the sunshine and rain showers were doing wonders to make the new mysterious plant grow. It was amazing to me how even though I thought nothing could grow in the planter, there were now leaves of a pretty green plant at least a few inches from the planter’s top.
Just what was growing and what was causing it to grow? Was it the fact that it was a good seed or was the soil good? Did it even matter what kind of plant it was…wasn’t it enough that it was growing? Those of you who know more about plants could probably tell me exactly why. I was just excited to see something growing out of soil that I thought had no life in it.
This reminds us of how we sometimes forget the good seeds that are planted inside of us. Luke 8:15 says, “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Sometimes it often takes moments of crisis to bring life to those seeds planted deep in us.
In the same way, when we go through a spiritual crisis, what is planted inside of us will come out. Just like the green planter looked like it was finished growing plants, you may feel like your spiritual life is also stagnant. But add some praise, some prayer and worship…you’ll be amazed at what might blossom in your spiritual life.
