‘Growth is a slow, secret, unspectacular affair.’ – Lesslie Newbigin
We want fruit without the root. But real fruit cannot be rushed or manufactured because real fruit is the result of slow, secret, unspectacular daily abiding. But as the Psalmist reminds us, there is indeed blessing in the slow, secret, and unspectacular:
‘Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; but the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.’ (Psalm 1)
A life rooted in God may appear slow, secret and unspectacular on the surface, but it is a life that the Lord knows and sees (Ps 1:6, Matt 6:4).
Jesus, help us abide in You, as You abide in the Father. Let the unseen moments of our life be the roots of righteousness that grow fruit which honors You. In Your name, amen.
Being rooted,
AB