Growth!

“So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 NAS

“God comes to us disguised as our life.” Paula D’Arcy

The above quotes are such a relief! I am responsible to show up, learn, practice, study and rest in God’s love. Who causes the growth in me and others? God. I may not see my growth. I may not see another’s growth, but God causes it just the same. Seasons.

I plant many things in the spring. Some seeds shoot up quickly. Some take a long time, or so it seems to me. I do water, feed, and nurture the plants, but God sends the sunshine. God provides the nutrients. The water. In the dark earth a mystery is unfolding.  If I dig it up to observe, it’s ruined. When I was pregnant with my son, I ate nutritious foods, exercised, saw the doctor to ensure a healthy birth. However, who caused my son’s growth? God. In the dark. A mysterious miracle.

This is the way of my spiritual growth too: frustration, despair, regret, grief. Those very dark places where all we can do is hang on and pray, “Father, help me.” I’m thinking that’s the most used prayer of all. Perhaps, the most answered.

Musings.

Even our Savior was in a dark place. Of course, there was his bogus trial, crucifixion, shaming, extreme emotional and physical pain. Then the tomb. Dark. Mysterious. So mysterious there were guards posted. Then He rose. Who did this? God in such a marvelous, unexpected and beyond all comprehensible way! God caused the growth.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for those dark places that we enter. I don’t like them. I want them over. They can be very painful. I rush my growth, foolishly thinking I cause it.

We do not enter darkness alone. Thank you that growth is happening even when I see nothing. Feel nothing. Can hold nothing. Thank you that I can hide in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 17:8) At the appropriate time I will be exalted.

Amen.