But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Matthew 13:6
Dear Friends in Christ,
I pray that you are well and thriving! What does thriving look like? In the Christian life, thriving starts with deep roots in God, from whom we receive all the wisdom and guidance and nourishment we need to thrive physically, spiritually, and relationally for the long haul. Jesus told a parable about a farmer sowing seed. Some fell on the path and were eaten by birds. Some fell on rocky ground, springing up quickly, but withering in the sun because they had no roots. Some might have been strong, but they were choked by weeds. But some fell on good soil, grew deep roots, grew and flourished, bearing fruit—food and new seed—some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some a hundredfold.
Why do we so often choose shallow roots? When we could speak with each other or reach out to our neighbors, instead we spend our time scrolling through meaningless bits of internet fast food. When we could share life with each other at deep levels, supporting one another in relationships and personal challenges, seeking and sharing wisdom together and being there to dampen the hardships of life, instead we isolate ourselves, pull back and hide from the conversations of deeper meaning. When we could seek the God of the universe each day, the one who made us and loves us and seeks our thriving, we so often hide and go after cheap and transient thrills that leave us more and more empty and hungry.
But what if we put down deep roots—what if we took the risk to get connected and wrestle with the hard questions, to share our struggles, to seek God together regularly and form and shape our lives toward God’s vision for us? That would be like seed sown in good soil, growing strong and tall, providing shade for others, and bearing fruit—food for others, and seed for even more growth and blessing and even more thriving!
God has so many blessings to give us—so much thriving that he wants for us. Jesus said “those who have ears to hear: listen!”
Join us tonight for our Family Eucharist at 5:30 in the parish hall, followed by dinner at 6:30.
Yours in Christ,
-Tom
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