• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Like growing oak trees

Like growing oak trees

Posted on October 20, 2015 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


Scarlet Oak
Scarlet Oak Leaves

There is a scarlet oak in my back yard that I planted as a bare root sapling. Currently it is 10 to 12 foot tall but it was a glorified stick a few years ago.

My family gave me some good natured teasing about the stick that I planted. It really didn’t look like much. Nor did it even look like it would survive after our golden retriever puppy chewed it off sometime during the first year after it was planted.

But it did survive and is thriving. It gives every indication that in the coming years it will become a beautiful tree.

Trees grow slowly and one has to be content with allowing the tree to grow at its own pace. I could overfeed it to try to make it grow faster, but that would likely kill the tree. All I can do is put the tree in the right environment, make sure it has enough water and wait. The tree will take up nutrients and water at the right pace to keep growing.

There is no magic program, no magic sermon series, no magic seminar that will cause instantaneous spiritual growth. Growth happens at a pace that is slower than we might like.

I certainly have found this to be true in my own life. Sometimes I think that I should be farther along in spiritual maturity but when I look back, I can see the slow, steady growth that has already taken place.

If you are a church leader and you are frustrated with how fast growth is taking place in your church, think of an oak tree. They do not grow fast, but they are strong. If you are a small group leader or Sunday School teacher, think of that oak which slowly absorbs the nutrients and water and grows as a result.

If we are faithful in teaching Scripture and faithful in living out what we know, if we are faithful in loving God and loving our neighbors, then those in our care will be getting the food that they need to grow.

I am reminded of the words of Paul,

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6, ESV)

Think of trees. Tall trees. Strong trees. Trees that will weather the storm.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

25

How does Christ fill the office of a priest?

Question 25 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, How does Christ fill the office of a priest?

Focus on Jesus

Eyes fixed on Jesus

But, by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can look past the problems in the church and look forward to the day when Jesus will return to set everything right. We can walk in the confidence that Jesus will eventually fix the things we know to be wrong.

Anticipating an Important Letter

How fast would you run to the mailbox if you knew that a personal letter from the President was waiting for you? Regardless of your political loyalties, to have such a letter would be an important occasion and you would have great anticipation as to how the letter will affect you. While many of us […]

Touching the Lord’s Anointed

1 Samuel 24:6 (ESV) 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” As I read this, i thought of Romans 13:1-2 where Paul informs us that our leaders are […]

Resisting Change

A Lesson From Eli – Do not let comfort keep you from doing right

Comfort can make us resistant to necessary changes. Eli knew his sons were doing wrong but failed to offer correction. He can learn from him

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
June 2023
SMTWTFS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
« May    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in