By Robin Wiley

Psalms 1:1-3

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.”

Not long after the big freeze last February, my husband and I bought two palm trees for the back yard of our house. They started off being about a one-foot sapling tree and here it is almost a year since they have been planted, and it is obvious that one palm tree is outgrowing the other.

One palm only grew a few inches past its original height, but the other grew to be nearly 4 feet now with large green leaves. It appears that the smaller one does not have enough sunlight and/or water. Or perhaps it was positioned in a non-fertile spot in our yard. As I watched these two palm trees, and I read Psalms 1:1-3 (one of my favorite Psalms), I am reminded how we can be either of these two palm trees in our spiritual lives.

If we don’t constantly expose ourselves to God’s word, the living water, and grow in fellowship of the Spirit with fellow Christians, we can easily stunt our growth and be dwarfed spiritually. We need to constantly feed our mind and our hearts with His word and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide us. If you struggle with finding a rhythm reading the Bible, then start with something small and increase your studying more frequently. Reading a devotional book (we have some free ones at the church office), signing up for one by email or reading our weekly online devotionals can allow you to set your own pace. God wants to have an intimate relationship with you – so what are you waiting for?

Father God, we want to grow to become more like Christ. Please help us, nourish us and strengthen us today. Let your Word soak into our hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.