Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 28, 2016
By Tripp Prince
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
My wife and I often joke about having the gift of a “black thumb.” Each year, our goals for a healthy and vibrant garden are very high, yet rarely if ever has that initial goal led to the fruitful harvest we envision- disappointment is the inevitable outcome. Though there may be multiple reasons for this challenge, there is one that stands out above the rest: neglect.
In the midst of work schedules, parenting three young children, and frequent travel during the spring and summer months, our poor backyard garden doesn’t stand a chance. Though it may start off strong, we aren’t able to continue to provide the attention and care it needs to thrive and flourish. However, the few times that we have had success with this garden, it has been because we were able to prioritize and build into our lives ongoing and intentional care and nurture, ensuring the healthy beginning continued day-by-day, week-by-week.
This image of a healthy and thriving garden can be directly applied to our spiritual lives and the need for continual growth into Christ’s likeness. As St. Paul reminds us, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” Our initial reception of the Lord Jesus is a profound and wonderful mystery. It is the joy of new life, freedom from sin and death, and the hope of resurrection life in Christ. Yet our Christian lives are meant to be so much more than a one-time encounter with the Lord!
Jesus desires to not only give us the hope of eternal life but the joy of living every single day as his beloved sons and daughters. The new life that begins in our conversion is meant to grow and flourish, yielding the fruit of the Spirit in countlessly beautiful ways. Yet for this to be true, we mustn’t neglect the continual care and nurture of our spiritual health! Like an attentive and faithful gardener, we too must daily attend to the health of our souls and our relationship with God and with one another.
Spiritual neglect leads to spiritual sickness. Thinking you are okay on your own or only need Jesus from time to time is a sure recipe for failure. Root yourself today and every day in the soil of salvation, trusting that the Spirit of God will bring about an abundant and fruitful harvest!
Prayer
Father, may we continue daily to grow in the new life you offer us in Christ Jesus our Lord.Application
What areas of your life have suffered from spiritual neglect? How can you recommit those areas to Christ and his ongoing work in your life?Related Reading
Luke 8:15; John 15; Galatians 5:16-24Post/Tweet today
Spiritual neglect leads to spiritual sickness. #WisdomHunters #soulcareWorship Resource
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