Not in a place to grow

There is a bridge that crosses the Catawba River called Castle Bridge. Just beside the bridge are the supports for the previous bridge that crossed the river at that spot. All that's left of the old bridge is a few supports. I have driven across the current bridge more times than I can count when going to the hospital for a visit or to Myra's for ice cream. Nearly every time I drive across the bridge I look at one of the center supports for the old bridge. On top of the support is a scraggly little tree. The tree isn't all that tall, maybe 3-4 feet high at most. There isn't much to the tree in the way of limbs or even a thick trunk. It's really reminiscent of the scraggly trees you see hanging off of cliffs and barren mountainsides. I have noticed this tree for years and I truly think it's the same size today as it was when I took my wife on our first date to Myra's over 18 years ago. So why is it stunted? Why hasn't it grown into a much larger tree? What has limited it from growing? The answer is simple. The tree hasn't grown because it isn't in a place where it can grow. There was just barely enough soil, water, and sunlight for a seed to germinate on that bridge support many years ago. But eventually the tree used up all the dirt it's roots had access to. Without a proper place to grow the tree was stunted and didn't grow to it's full potential.

Many times Christians will find themselves in the same type of place as this tree. The only difference is the tree didn't have a say in where it's seed took root. We as Christians have to guard ourselves from places of spiritual isolation that will stunt our spiritual growth. It's easy to find ourselves in a rut lacking in prayer, daily bible reading, service in the church, or even church attendance. We can find ourselves to be slowly isolating ourselves from God and eventually we'll find ourselves high on this isolated point, far from God, and in a place that isn't fit for us to grow in our faith. As hard as it is when we find ourselves in this position, we need to take the leap and head back to Him. The first step is always the most difficult to take, but once you do you won't regret it. As you start to grow in your faith again you will wonder why you wandered in the first place. As you grow in your faith you'll be able to live up to the full potential of what God designed you to be, rather than settling for a scraggly, gnarled, and growth-deprived version of your self. My encouragement to you today is to take the first step back towards a place where you can grow spiritually. If for you that means getting back in church this Sunday, then get there! If that means picking up your bible on your lunch break today, do so. If that means finding time this evening to spend some time in prayer with God, then do it! I can guarantee you that you won't regret growing spiritually and growing closer to God.


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