Science in a little plastic cup


Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck 
where you do not belong. –N. R. Narayana Murthy


Remember way back when you were in kindergarten, and you planted that little bean seed in a clear plastic cup for the first time? The teacher would help each child push the seed down into the dirt, and talk about what that seed would need to grow.

First, we learned, the seed needs soil to grow in. And water, but not too much water, so it could draw the nourishment it needs from the dirt. And the third thing every seed needs to grow—is light.

So let’s pretend for a minute that we are all like little bean seeds, and imagine what we need to grow spiritually:

Soil. Something to ground ourselves in, a place to put down roots. Something—or someplace—that will provide us with nourishment and support as we go through periods of change or reorientation in the way we view the world. For many folks, this may be a church; it could also be any group where community and trust are formed.

Water. Refreshment that allows us to rest and be restored, water also loosens the soil and allows us to push even deeper into that in which we are grounded. Maybe this is a smaller group, a place we feel safe to question.

And finally, light. Some inexplicably warm something that makes us want to stretch out, to become more than we are right now.

How are the seeds of your faith doing? Is anything missing?


Monday Take time to look for new life: a blade of grass; a leaf on a tree; water rolling over river stones; the wisp of a cloud in the sky. As you study, consider the Creator who is also your Redeemer. Psalm 84:1-4

Tuesday Communities grow and change, as well. Look for new life on the streets of your community. God is present in all places. As you look through God’s eyes, give thanks for God’s holy presence. Romans 13:8-10

Wednesday Spend some time in silence. Listen for a whisper, a quiet revelation of the Almighty. Give thanks and rest in that place. Romans 15:5-6

Thursday We are designed in the image of the Creator. Take a moment and meditate on the image of Christ in you. John 19:17-22

Friday Is there any place inaccessible to the Lord? (This is not a trick question!) Take time today to make yourself available to the Almighty. Allow God to work in the dark spaces. John 19:28-30

Saturday Look in the mirror. Study the palm of your hand. Listen to the sound of your breath. Feel the beat of your heart as it sends life through your body. You are a miracle! Never doubt that you are precious in God’s sight. John 19:38-42

Sunday Celebrate the new life, God has given to each of us and to this Body of Christ. Look around at the beautiful family of faith drawn together in this holy place, and give thanks. Peace be upon your spirit. John 20:1-18

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. –Lao Tzu


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual dehydration

  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up. –Pearl S. Buck   The past two years (at least) have been exhausting, haven’t they? We had a pandemic that physically left us anxious and afraid. Our churches, where we go for nourishment, were closed or online longer than we wanted—and even now, we are careful. Politically, we have been divided against one another, and those wounds are still bleeding in many cases. We need to take care of ourselves. And it’s never been more difficult. What to do? How do I make time in our busy schedules—for me ? The simple answer: Whatever it takes. Remember when we would fly to a vacation destination? How the flight attendant would remind us that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks would drop down out of the ceiling? And that before we offer to help anyone else, we need to have our own masks in place ? Good advice for life in general. Today: Pause. Take inventory ...
Read more

What are you waiting for?

  The waiting is the hardest part. –Tom Petty   We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the coffee to finish dripping. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting for the next available agent. It’s inevitable, really. We cannot always be first, and if we aren’t first, we’ll have to wait. But I think the more important thing is to ask yourself: How am I at waiting? Do I find myself getting anxious and fidgety? Am I worrying about things not going the way I really need them to go? Is my attitude rubbing off on people around me? The best way to wait is not to worry where we are in line, or gripe about wasted time. The best way to wait—is to be right there , in the moment of waiting. The disciples waited in fear; we wait in hope. Why not use this waiting time to pray? Welcome God’s presence into your heart. Ask God to bring you into the moment. Inquire what God would ask of you in this moment . Thank God for wisdom, patience, humor. . . . Take a d-e...
Read more

Don't be afraid.

Living is a great deal more than simply not dying. It is carrying out a mission, committing oneself to fashion some meaning that will attain eternity. –Leonardo Boff When asked, “What are you afraid of?” we offer a myriad of answers: snakes, spiders, flying in an airplane. But when pressed, many people, believers and non-believers alike, will admit that the one thing they fear most, at the core of their being, is death. Most of us enjoy having control over our lives, and frankly, we have very little control over, or way of knowing, how or when our earthly journey will end. And we have even fewer concrete answers about what will happen next. We have the profession of our faith and the occasional “crossing-over” story—but. No wonder death is near the top of that list. But sometimes, as I look around, it seems like people are less fearful about dying—and more afraid of living. Really cutting loose and enjoying our time together as human beings privileged to live in God’s am...
Read more