I'm not much of a gardener nor do I do well with houseplants. I have just a few that I have been able to keep alive over the years. Many times my houseplants just sorta stagnate for years before succumbing to death. What do I mean by stagnate?
No growth.
Gradually loosing leaves but not replacing them.
Leaves becoming more and more yellow.
Never flowering.No fruit.
Some Christians are like my houseplants. They are stagnant and dying instead of growing and producing fruit.
“The Christian who is always at a standstill,
to all appearance the same man,
with the same little faults, and weaknesses,
and besetting sins, and petty infirmities,
is seldom the Christian who does much good.
The man who shakes and stirs minds,
and sets the world thinking,
is the believer who is continually improving and going forward.
Men think there is life and reality when they see growth.”
Holiness by J.C. Ryle - pp. 103-104
Do you see growth?
Posts
9 comments:
Hi!
Over the last few months, both my husband and I have grown a lot. We recently read a book called "The Bravehearted Gospel" by Eric Ludy that God really used to stir up something in us. We're taking little steps, but we are making progress :)
I noticed this the other day in my husband. We had helped friends move, and I must confess to a little bit of "house envy." My husband mentioned something to the efect of: "I noticed this [insert item name here], and I thought, 'You know, that would be nice... but it's a want, not a need.'"
It used to be that he would be like, "Oh, when we get our house, we HAVE to get this..." It's very neat to see these little things :)
Love the posts; keep 'em coming.
PIP
PS: I went to Starbucks yesterday and made a bracelet while I drank my cinnamon dulce latte (no coffee in that!). It's been awhile since I made one but I think it's pretty (it has alternating white and pearl beads mixed in with clear glass beads). :)
PIP,
That is good that you are not only seeing growth in yourself, but also in each other. Good Christian books can be a great aid in Christian growth. Just never be content to stay at the same point but always strive for the goal, Christ likeness.
Maybe you can get a head start on your home business. :)
Berean Wife
I loved this, and have lots to say, but hopefully will have more time later. Just wanted to encourage you and say this was quite profound.
Terry,
I'm glad you found this helpful.
Wish someone could help my plants to grow. :o
Berean Wife
First off don't feel bad, my plants die too. :(
Thanks for the reminder though on our Christian walk. So easy to let those things die, without careful attention to it.
Valerie,
I pray that my Christian life is more healthy than my plants. :o At least I tend to it much more.
Berean Wife
Hi BW!
This is one of my favorite quotes of J.C. Ryle! But always convicting. And thought-provoking. It convicts in a good way, though, because it makes me take a good hard look at myself: AM I still battling the same weaknesses and faults? Besetting sins? Have I become complacent, slothful, or grown weary in well-doing? Perhaps, like the plant that is not growing, I need more exposure to the Sun (Son) or more trials and tears (watering) to soften the dry, hard soil of my heart. Or maybe I need to be "repotted" (I need to step out in faith into larger areas of trusting, serving and "uncomfortable" reliance on Him.) May God give us grace to yield ourselves to the Master Gardener for the work of sanctification that is needed. I can repent, and obey, but I can't make myself grow.
Faithfully-yours,
Wendy
P.S. I can't make plants grow, either :)
Wendy
(I don't why it posted that last comment as being "anonymous")
Wendy,
You have a gift for word pictures. Those are very good thoughts as to why our spiritual "plants" might be stagnating. Another one that came to my mind is that maybe we are in the wrong location in the midst of stagnating plants and a move might be just the thing for encouraging some growth. We had to leave a stagnating church to encourage more growth and cut down on the weeds that were choking us.
I guess many of us have houseplants that can serve as reminders if nothing else.
Berean Wife
P.S. Blogger seems to have had issues lately but your link resolved.
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