Grow Where You are Planted
Reflections on the Context for Spiritual Growth
This past week, my in-laws came for a visit. When I think of my in-laws, I think of a few things. First is my mother-in-law, who loves to watch police procedurals, just like me! We have already hunkered down for a few episodes of BritBox fun, this time by bingeing the series “Waking the Dead.”
Second, I think of how weird my father-in-law is. Have you seen his yard?! Let me explain…no (taking Indigo Montoya’s advice); let me sum up… walking into his yard is like walking into the wonderful world of growth, of plants and flowers and color, design, beauty, and wonder. Yes, really. I don’t know about you, but I hate dirt, and the last thing I want to do is plant a flower or pull up a weed. I have always hated dirt; ask my mom, who (when I was very young) would make sure I had a wet washcloth by my side every time I was at the kitchen table to eat so that I could keep my hands clean.
My father-in-law’s yard is a sign of the will of God, not that all of us (and especially not me!) are into gardening like him, but that God wills our growth and is present in our lives to help this growth happen. The primary context for your spiritual growth, meaning you are becoming who you are created to be, is the presence and, consequently, the leadership of God. The Church proclaims a wonderful central framing truth for our present moment, and the truth is that God, in His grace, has come to us. God is here with you right now. God has an active, personal, loving, and clear will for your becoming today and into tomorrow.
This context of God’s presence for your personal spiritual growth begs how we know what God is saying. How God is leading? What does God want for you today? There is significant debate regarding the answer to this question. The question of what God wants for you today is personal and intimate, and our common temptation is to place ourselves (our thoughts, feelings, assumptions, preferences, traditions, etc.) in the place of God over your own life, to appoint yourself as your own authority and definer of yourself and your purpose. Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, however, says this temptation is as old as Genesis 3 and is based on the first lie (false premise) that we, as a person, are qualified to decide for ourselves what is good and evil.
More next week. Thanks for reflecting along with me.