When a seed is planted into the ground, a lot of things must happen in order for that seed to become a plant. First, there must be moisture. That moisture is absorbed through the seed coat and the water initiates the beginning of the transformation. The tough outer layer begins to give way as the cells inside begin to divide, grow, develop.
The first new part to emerge is the young tender shoot of the root. This young shoot begins to work through the soil and spread and divide, and soon will begin to draw up the moisture and nutrients needed for growth. At this point, the reserves are being metabolized within the seed giving the energy to produce the roots. Soon, another shoot emerges and begins to head towards the surface, the first shoot to reach for the sky. Soon, it will push its way through the soil surface and emerge, spreading open the very first leaves drawing in the sunlight and beginning the transition from consuming reserves of the seed to transferring the power of the sun into energy to live.
As the last semblance of the seed disappears, the plant stands firm and takes its place. The seed is no more, and the life that was in it has been renewed to reach its potential, and the plant has come to be.
And yet, there are many challenges yet to endure. Wind, drought, insects, diseases, floods, and many more hazards await to risk the life of the plant before it is able to bear fruit. And yet as it reaches into the depths of the soil, it is strengthened for the task to bear fruit (for that is the only purpose of the plant, to bear the seed of regenerative live embodied in or through its fruit).
What part of your Christian walk resembles this pattern? Think science and Christianity are at odds? I beg to differ. We are born in the waters of baptism, changed and begin to become the fullness of what we have been gifted to be. We grow through the various challenges of life, and for the heart changed by Christ Jesus, we know nothing more than bringing forth life by the Fruit born through us.
Consider today your walk in faith, your growth and the challenges that have affected you and your ability to bear fruit, as you pray over our verse from Scripture today, as Jesus said:
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, ESV)
Almighty Father- when the winds blow, shield us; when the drought comes, provide for us; when the floods come, keep us dry; when the Sun rises, may we be touched eternally by His warm and love; that we may bear good fruit and life to Thy glory, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit dwell eternal, One God, without end. AMEN.