Bigger Pots, More Soil

DAILY READING

Colossians 2:6-15

FIELD NOTES

“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong, and vigorous in the truth you were taught.” (Col. 2:7, NLT)

I am not much of a gardener, but I do enjoy having fresh herbs outside my kitchen. Several years ago I planted basil in an attractive pot that was long, narrow, and shallow. It immediately began growing and adding new branches and leaves. As the weeks went on, however, the plant seemed to falter. The leaves began to turn yellow and become smaller. It was not flourishing. My husband diagnosed the problem as not enough soil. He replanted it in a large, deep pot and within a week or so, it was a different plant – thick, dark green, lush leaves. All it needed was deeper roots and more nutrients.

Our lives in Christ are the same. We need to send our roots deep into Christ – allowing his love, grace and Spirit to nourish our souls. How do we do this? One way is to make the essential Christian practices of worship, study, service, giving and sharing part of our daily and weekly lives. As we practice these disciplines, they are like bigger pots with more soil which allow our roots to grow in Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Which of the classic Christian practices (worship, study, service, giving, sharing our faith) do you find easiest to incorporate into your daily life? Which practice needs a little help?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Next time you’re at the grocery with your parent or guardian, ask him or her if you can buy an herb plant – they are usually in the produce department. Take it home and replant it in a bigger pot with additional soil, water it regularly and watch it grow. Try adding some of its leaves to a salad or in a soup. Let your herb plant remind you that we need to stay close to God by praying and worshiping so that our faith can grow.

PRAYER GUIDE

Loving God, send your Spirit to help our lives to grow deep into your love through our faith in Christ. Help us to tend our souls through practicing daily spiritual disciplines. Amen.