I stepped into the kitchen. Time to make supper.
My eyes roamed the room as I pondered what to make for our evening meal.
The plants on top of the cupboards caught my attention.
I frowned.
My spider plant was looking pale green and wilty. My pothos was drooping. My Christmas cactus appeared to be handling the man-made drought reasonably well, but it wasn’t thriving.
I needed to water them. It had been far too long.
The problem was, they were up high, beyond my reach, unless I climbed on a kitchen chair.
I heard the pitter patter of little feet behind me.
My 2 year old entered the kitchen. The very 2 year old who had pushed a chair to the kitchen counter to pull a bowl out of the cupboard all by himself the other day…
I glanced at the top shelf plants with a sigh. They’d have to wait until later. I wasn’t foolish enough to set an example of climbing on a kitchen chair to reach something even higher in front of my son. Who knew what mischief he would get into, bolstered by my example?
I would have to remember to water them later, once the kids were in bed.
Setting my concern about my plants aside, I turned to my son with a cheery smile.
“Let’s find something for you to do at the table while I make supper.”
Why do I bring up this scene? Because it has an important reminder for me, and perhaps you will find it valuable as well.
When I picture my walk with God as a plant, I am reminded that I need to be intentional to water my plant.
If my walk with Jesus isn’t receiving enough water, it won’t thrive. It will wilt.
True, water isn’t the only factor needed to make plants thrive. They need the right amount of sunlight, good soil, and nutrients.
Perhaps having my heart in the right place – humble and trusting God – can be represented by the sunlight a plant needs. Without sunlight, no amount of watering will make a plant grow. Likewise, without my heart in the right place my walk with Jesus will not function.
That said, a plant will not grow and thrive without regular watering no matter how perfect the other factors are.
The plants on my top shelf show this clearly.
Indeed, it is especially evident when you consider my spider plant.
My sister gave me my spider plant from her larger plant. At the same time, she gave a spider plant of the same age to my mom.
My mom’s spider plant has been well watered. It has been strategically placed to receive the right type of light.
In contrast, my poor spider plant is up on a high shelf so the kids don’t get it, and it has certainly been under watered.
My mom’s spider plant is thriving. It is lush green, much bigger than mine, and beginning to reproduce.
My plant is smaller, often pale, and nowhere near ready to reproduce.
As with these spider plants, I must be watering my walk with Jesus if I want it to grow and thrive.
So how do I water my relationship with Jesus? Bible reading, Bible teaching, prayer, singing praise, and fellowship.
I need to be intentional to make it a regular practice to read or listen to the Bible for myself.
Finding Biblically sound Bible teaching pastors to listen to or read books by is also incredibly valuable. (One of my favorites is Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel.)
Spending time in prayer – conversation with God – is vital. Someone once equated prayer to breathing in order to convey just how essential it is to spiritual life.
There are many ways to pray. Praying by oneself or praying with others. Praying for practical needs, praying for spiritual growth, and prayers of praise for who God is. Taking time for each of these can refresh and strengthen my walk with God.
Singing worship songs (even more than just listening to them) helps turn my focus back to Jesus.
Fellowship is time spent with other Christians. Encouraging and being encouraged by each other – serving and being served. Discussing the things of God.
Regular attendance at a Bible teaching church covers most of these elements, but once a week is not enough.
I am not a cactus that only needs occasional watering.
I need to be watering my walk with Jesus daily, even better if hourly.
This can looked very different in different seasons of life. Making regular habits can help me consistently add water to my walk with Jesus.
Some possibilities include reading my Bible first thing, or listening to a 5 minute devotional (like this podcast by David Guzik).
I can build in regular times of prayer for my family, missionaries, and prayers of thanksgiving. On top of that, I can find a couple of friends to meet with regularly to pray for our church, community, and country.
Today, may I seek out one more way to add water to my walk with Jesus and begin to make that a regular habit.
What are some of your regular habits that water your walk with Jesus? Feel free to share in the comments below.
