BY JENNIFER DOWNS
S I SPRAWLED OUT ON THE PARK’S grassy carpet
to soak up the warm May sunshine, my eyes wandered up into the leafy branches
of a giant maple tree. Fascinated, I watched thousands of little helicopter
seeds twirling their way to the ground and dotting the grass. Why did God
attach helicopter blades to these seeds? I wondered.
Curious, I examined a decaying helicopter seed
and peeled off the brittle wings. To my surprise, the dry outer layer contained
a small green bean-shaped seed. How can life exist inside a shriveled seedpod?
Eagerly I split the seed in half and realized I held in my fingers the microscopic
blueprint, complete with two perfect leaflets, for a replica of the tree I lay
under. Wow! How does such a delicate seed like this become such a magnificent
maple tree?
While pondering that miracle of life, I discovered
the following seven secrets of Christian growth.
1. Our faith begins as a tiny seed rooted in
God’s Word.
Psalm 1:3 says that the righteous person “shall
be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in
its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”*
Just as water helps a tree grow, we flourish as we draw strength from God’s
Word, the water of life. As we treasure God’s promises in our hearts, He transforms
us into loving, patient, and joyful people. By developing a relationship with
God through Bible study and prayer, we begin to see His purpose for our lives.
Then when we face conflict we’ll not shrivel up like a seed without water.
2. Even if people look at us as hopeless, God
doesn’t.
I assumed the helicopter seed was dead inside
before I opened it. In the same way, sometimes we think of each other as hopeless
because we can see only the outward struggles. I could have tossed the seed
aside as worthless. Instead, I discovered life inside.
In the same way, God looks past externals. I marvel
because “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4, 5).
3. Our humble lives have huge potential, just
like a seed.
God wants to do something incredible with each
of us. When I realize how completely selfish I am without Christ’s love in me,
I wonder how I can ever love people the way God does. Yet the same Creator who
spoke that first maple tree into existence speaks His Word to create life in
me. He is the one “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). He expects
great things of us because He sees us, not as the tiny seed we are, but as the
giant maple we are becoming through His power.
4. God creates the miracle of life—not us.
Imagine if a seed started worrying about its growth.
No matter how much it worried, it could not grow by thinking about it. God gives
seeds life. He supplies sunlight and rain to the nutrient-rich soil to help
seeds grow. In the same way, He also provides nutrients for our spiritual growth.
He works through His Spirit, His Word, His Son Jesus, nature, family and friends,
and the trials of life. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to
Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
We cannot create growth in ourselves any more than a seed can. We can only accept
the blessings God gives—like a seed soaking up water and sunlight. Growth results
naturally.
5. Growth doesn’t happen all at once.
I could have planted that seed and waited for
it to inch its way toward the sky. Had I done that, I would have become impatient
with its progress. But if I left it alone and came back in a few years, I would
probably see a small tree shooting up out of the ground. We tend to lack patience
when it seems we’re not progressing quickly enough. We must put our confidence
in God and remember that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete
it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). He has patience with us, so why
shouldn’t we?
6. God looks at us as perfect at each stage
of growth.
God doesn’t expect us to be giant maples in an
hour—just growing seedlings. His ideal for us is higher than we can imagine,
but He knows we’re still growing. When we were born, our parents did not set
us on the floor and command us to walk. Instead they cooed over us and cuddled
us close in their arms. They knew we would develop walking skills later. They
looked at us as perfect babies. God sees us with the eyes of a loving parent.
First John 3:2 promises us: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has
not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed,
we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
7. I feel small, but my influence has no limit.
As I observed those helicopter seeds blowing in
the wind and landing in the grass, I noticed how far the seeds had scattered
from the maple’s branches. In 50 years or so I’d probably find not just one
huge maple tree but 100!
Likewise, not only will God help me grow to full
capacity, but He will also work through me to spread more seeds. I may reach
only one person, but that person will reach others, and God’s love will spread
like maple seeds. Paul encourages us: “Let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all” (Gal. 6:9, 10). We won’t know until heaven
how many lives God has touched through us. So let’s keep spreading seeds!
My life may be unknown to most of the world, but
God still wants to use my small efforts. Most of all, He wants me to be willing
to start where I’m at—as a small seed.
*Bible references in this article are from the
New King James Version.
_________________________
Jennifer Downs is a senior in elementary education at Walla Walla College,
College Place, Washington. She enjoys observing nature “because it reminds me
of our loving Creator and Friend.”
