01/11/2018
Perhaps you say that you once believed in Jesus Christ, but not any longer, or you say that you are a Christian and yet there is no outward flourishing to indicate that this is true. In both cases, what is the problem with your faith, what stifled it and kept I from prospering? You are like a plant, but without a healthy root it can’t continue to grow, and will eventually die.
“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.”
Luke 8:13 ESV
There is an argument within the churches as to whether faith is best served by reason or emotion. Some say that faith and belief should be the product of an intellectual discussion, while others feel that it is best served by an emotional attachment to Jesus; emotions like love and infatuation. If you visit churches you will typically find them to be one way or the other... oh they will give lip service to the opposing view, but there will be a pronounced leaning. One will have a looser and more emotional worship structure, and the other will be more stoic, academic, and filled with formality. One has heartfelt sermons that relate to modern life, and the other more analytical approaches that lean on scripture with less modern application... a “facts and only the facts” view.
“The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”
Luke 8:12 ESV
So what is the perfect church in which we can grow our faith? What is the proper way to know and worship Jesus? Let me begin by telling you a story.
My father-in-Law was a master gardener, and had a vegetable garden that flourished every year; it always looked like the front cover of a garden magazine, or a horticulture journal. For the last year of his life I dedicated myself to studying under him so that he could continue to have a beautiful garden using his knowledge coupled with my hands and back. Even though he was frail and sick, he would sit in the shade at the edge of the garden and direct my efforts. What I quickly learned about this garden, man, and myself, was that although I was there out of a deep love for him I couldn’t succeed in this effort by love alone. It soon became apparent that although I could love gardening it was also hard work, meant being there every day, and that it took a great deal of knowledge as well. I came to understand that this garden was founded in love, but was planted and tended utilizing a mixture of the knowledge of the plants, soil preparation, weather, plant diseases, and yes... love. I could employ any of these things and have a decent garden, but it took them all for a garden to flourish. During the course of that year I learned to garden, but I also learned more about myself, the man at whose feet I sat, and what it meant to have faith in God, than I could ever have imagined.
Our walk of faith is more like my father-in-law’s final garden than you could ever imagine, and it is very much about how we should approach our religion, church, worship, and the Word of God. We can lean on the love, or study, or the sacraments, or any of the various elements of religious worship, and be able to reach out to God, and Jesus, but until we realize that it takes a balance of intellect, emotion, and faithful worship, then our garden of faith will never reach its greatest potential.
“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Luke 8:14 ESV
One of my first lessons in the garden came in late winter when we planted our seeds in the greenhouse. I had ordered the seeds, and as I prepared to place them in the tiny pots of the starter trays I commented that these seeds were awfully small, and that I was disappointed in them. To this my father-in-Law responded... “you will be surprised what God can place in such a tiny package.” Sure enough, they all germinated and grew into robust seedlings, and later that season... produced a bountiful harvest.
“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”
Luke 8:15 ESV
We each get a tiny seed of faith, and although it doesn’t look like much at first, we too will be surprised by what God has placed within it. The secret lies in how deep we initially push our finger into the soil of the starter trays, how well the soil of the garden is prepared to receive the tiny seedlings, how much fertilizer we nourish our plants with, and how much water they receive from either us, or from the Father’s rains. Our faith germinates the moment we hear about God, and if we keep the tiny seeds moist and fed, they will grow until one day they are ready to be placed in the garden... then it is here that they must be lovingly cared for and either continue to be fed and watered... or will whither away.
“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.”
Luke 8:13 ESV
So what about this argument concerning intellect versus emotion in church and faith? Well, if you don’t have intellect then the roots grow shallow, and if you don’t have emotion then the plants never reach upward, and remain stunted and short. One needs the other if we are to produce a bountiful harvest for God’s table. How is your garden growing? Are your roots deep, and your branches reaching towards the sun?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the tiny seed of faith that you first placed within me, and I thank you for the drawing of your Holy Spirit that led to its planting and germination in your Word. I thank you Holy Father for your Son Jesus who loved and nurtured me, and trans planted me into your garden. I thank you for every drop of rain that fell on me, every hoe that loosed the soil, and dug up the weeds. I thank you for the care which you took in my upbringing of faith, and the wisdom you employed each day... teaching me, and imparting in me the knowledge of you. Help me Father to balance myself as I seek after my salvation. Help me to come to you in love and heartbreak, sorrow and tears, laughter and joy, and in the understanding of your promises that guide me through these and so many more elements of life and relationship with you. Praised be your name Merciful Father for you are my master gardener, and the hand that pushes the ground firm around my roots. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who provides and cares for me in every way. Great are you who brings depth to the soil, rain and sun, and by whose love I was lifted up and redeemed by the sweat, blood, and sacrifice of your Son Jesus. All glory is yours my God, and great is your house and garden always, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes