God Brings the Growth

Today is Earth Day. It is springtime in the Midwest. All around us we see things growing. Perhaps you are hoping to grow certain plants in or around your home this growing season. 

In one of his books, Martin Laird,  who teaches at Villanova University, states a simple but profound fact: none of us can make anything grow. While we often say that we grow certain plants, we grow certain vegetables, “Look at this tree I grew,” that is not technically correct. We cannot grow anything. All we can do is prepare the soil or the gardenbed or the forest with the elements that might lead to growth. But the actual growth comes from something beyond ourselves. We don’t have that power. Laird shows how this relates to our lives in God. 

He writes:

“A spiritual practice simply disposes us to allow something to take place. For example, a gardener does not actually grow plants. A gardener practices certain gardening skills that facilitate growth that is beyond the gardener’s direct control. In a similar way a sailor cannot produce the necessary wind that moves the boat. A sailor practices sailing skills that harness the gift of wind that brings the sailor home, but there is nothing the sailor can do to make the wind blow” (Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land).

Seen in this light, there’s never been a human who has ever grown a tomato. There’s never been a farmer who’s ever grown a single stalk of corn. Of course, that sounds a little bit crazy to say, because farmers work tirelessly to grow their fields. But my point is that the actual growth is a gift. All a farmer can do is prepare the best way he or she can.

There are many practices we can use in following God. But God is the One who brings the growth. 

A disciple of Jesus is called to grow in God. Spiritual growth is our calling. We find this invitation throughout the scriptures. Words about growth are unavoidable in the Bible. Jesus used many illustrations and images from the natural world to communicate how God brings growth. 

In Colossians 2, Paul suggests that anyone who comes to Christ has been given an infinite gift. But this gift has to take root and be established in our lives. Here he is encouraging his hearers to make a commitment to growth. In another letter, Paul saw his work in the church as a kind of “planting,” but he said, “Only God brings the growth” (1 Cor 3:7). 

Our spiritual practices are important. These are ways we open ourselves to the reality of God. But ultimately, transformation is a gift from God. So as we continue throughout this season of spring, may we open ourselves to God so that good things might grow in our lives.