And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Looking outside my office window this morning, with the sun shining and the dew of recent rain on the grass, the predominant color is green. All growing things have benefited from this month's rain, from the lush lawns to the fully leafed trees. It's a basic rule of nature, for growing things to flourish, they need sun and rain. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants use these things to create their food.
Likewise, there's a basic spiritual rule. As we drink in God's love–the spiritual rain of his blessings and the light of Christ–we are fed with what is needed for the transformative Holy Spirit to create the energy for us to flourish. Spiritual photosynthesis, if you will.
The evidence of this process is our greenness. As the natural blades of the grass grow and trees leaf, so does the spiritual. We grow in the knowledge and depth of insight of God.
From these things comes another sign of growth–discernment. Discernment determines the direction and rate of growth. How far downward our roots extend, that hidden, inward change, and the canopy above, what others see. How rapidly we grow is also determined by discernment. Some mature quickly, while others are slower.
Knowledge, insight, and discernment are all gifts of our gracious God, given in love. As disciples, we are to be active participants in photosynthesis. While this is the natural spiritual rule, things happen to hinder the process; when we fail to absorb God's love, our roots whither, and our greenness fades.
Father, we thank you for the outpouring of your love. We confess we have taken your love for granted and failed to be fully transformed. We have allowed other things to come between us and our spiritual growth, distracting us from knowing you and how you would have us grow. Forgive us; we pray. May we start afresh at this moment, responding to your love with an open heart, allowing spiritual photosynthesis to happen. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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