• 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

Church Sign

Jesus does not agree with this church marquee . . .

A picture of a church marquee stimulated thoughts on the exclusive claims of Jesus.

On viruses and great support

A little while ago, I got a tweet in response to one of my posts, letting me know that a reader’s protection software identified Attempts at Honesty as being infected with a virus. In checking on this, it was found to be true. Thanks to the excellent support of Nate at Davis Services Group, we […]

Do not be anxious

The problem is that often I don’t even realize that I am getting anxious. In those times, I lose sight of what is really important in the press of the urgent stuff around me.

One Another

One Another

If we did a better job of “one anothering” those outside the church, perhaps those on the outside would see less of our failures and more of Jesus.

Another prayer from the Psalms

Yesterday’s post was a prayer from the Psalms asking God for revival or renewal. That prayer begs the question, “what does that look like?” The very next Psalm provides at least part of the answer. The Psalmist writes: “Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11, CSB A knowledge of the Gospel […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
December 2023
SMTWTFS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31 
« Nov    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

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