Like a Cedar of Lebanon

30 Day Church Challenge:  Day 13

This Week's Challenge:  Growth through Scripture and Prayer 

"...so your roots grow down into God's love and keep you strong."  Ephesians 3:17

"...flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar of Lebanon."  Psalm 92

Not too many of us are familiar with the "cedars of Lebanon."  In fact, growing up, the only Lebanon I'd really heard much about was the one in Tennessee.  The cedar trees I saw were mostly scrubby, growing in fence rows.  

But for the people of the Bible, the cedar trees from Lebanon were the biggest trees that they knew.  So, imagine scripture saying, "grow your faith into the biggest tree that you've ever seen."  

This resonates with me.  I love to plant things and watch them grow.  Years ago, when Holly and I first moved into our home, our backyard was a blank slate.  Red clay, and not much else.  

I transplanted a tulip poplar sapling that had one little leaf growing off of it.  I brought it home in a styrofoam cup.  Eight years later, that tree is now approaching 25 feet tall.  It should someday top out over 100'!  

I believe that growth is the nature of this creation, and it is the very nature of God.  

For trees to grow, they need to be in the right place, and they need the right soil and moisture.  When those things are right, they know what to do, and they will do it.  

We need some spiritual nutrition that we can't supply for ourselves, as well.  Scripture and prayer are two of the most important pieces.    If you've begun to make a habit of daily spiritual discipline during these 13 days, you've already begun to experience those nutrients.  

Maybe our faith in styrofoam cup sized.  Maybe it needs what the red clay can offer.  With daily care and nurture, a cedar of Lebanon may just be hiding inside your soul.  

Grace, Peace, and Growth,

Adam 

Today's Small Step:  What attributes of your spiritual growth would you like to work on over the next 12 months?  What will you do to stretch yourself from your current habits? 

Today's Big Idea:  Has there been a time in your life when you've grown by leaps and bounds?  Have their been times when your growth seemed to slow altogether?  What made the difference?