Roots Before Shoots

“Other seeds feel on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root they withered away.” Matthew 13:5-6

Do you ever find yourself getting frustrated with how slow growing in our relationship with God can sometimes feel? Whether it’s a sin we’re still struggling with or an insecurity we can’t seem to overcome, the manifestation of God’s work in our lives often times takes longer than what we would like to see.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower. In verses 5-6, He highlights that some of the seed that was sown on the ground grew up immediately. At first glance this sounds like a good thing! However, Jesus goes on to explain that the reason it sprung up so fast was because there was no depth of soil….there were no roots! And the result was not favorable for the plant. Although it looked to be doing just fine initially, as soon as the sun came up and the heat beat down on the little shoot it withered away because it had no root!

It is so easy in our relationship with God to get frustrated when we don’t “see” results right away. We fear that we did something wrong, or that we didn’t hear God correctly, or worse we can begin to question if we can trust Him.

But take heart, it is in those moments that God is developing your roots! Of course you can’t see them….roots are below the surface. But it is those very roots that will enable you to withstand the heat and the storms. It is those very roots that will provide the nutrients needed for your growth. And it is those very roots that will grow the shoots that will one day bear fruit!

Kyle and Maggie Hooper live in Blacksburg, Virginia where they serve with The Navigators U.S. Military Ministry at Virginia Tech. In addition to their ministry to the Corps of Cadets, Kyle serves as an F-22 Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the Virginia Air National Guard. Kyle & Maggie have two children, Jack (3) and Luke (2) and are passionate about raising up Godly leaders across our nation’s military.