Roots and Pots
I was working in my garden recently, rearranging some plants that stay in pots through the winter. When I first planted them in the pots, I chose large pots, with room to grow, and they have grown for several seasons. I was attempting to rotate the pots to expose a different side of the plant to the light, but the pot would not rotate. I looked closer and discovered that the roots had grown out of the small drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and grown into the ground below the pot. Those roots went deep and firmly tethered the plant to the ground despite its container.
God was showing me that if I am trusting Him, growing in Him continually, not only will I have an immovable foundation, but I might get a little root-bound and out grow my container – outgrow the boundaries of ministry I once had. And even if I drag my feet on enlarging my territory, or am reluctant to grow in new areas, His love for me continues to grow me until my life overflows with His love and purposes. Ephesians 3:20-21(TLB) says
“He is working in us to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.”
I don’t believe that verse is just talking about our own goals and dreams being bettered, but God’s higher plans for our lives – His purposes for us. He loves us so much that He sometimes pushes us beyond our original pots/limits/boundaries and continues to grow us whether we think we are ready or not. A root-bound plant will live but will eventually cease to thrive, cease to grow until it is repotted in a new spacious pot, giving its roots room to grow, and thereby growing the plant itself. I love how Colossians 2:6, 7 (TLB) says:
“And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.” I know for me, I feel like I’m just starting to “get” something down, and then God starts stretching me with something new and I have to confess I am sometimes a little resistant. I’m doing just fine in the last “pot” He placed me in. But I am so thankful that when I am slow to get on board with His renovation plans, His faithful love continues to gently lead me to be more than I could ever possibly conceive on my own.
So today, meditate on where we are, and where God might be stretching you. Think about your overflow – the new territory God is asking you to step into, and how you can continue to grow deeper in Him. I want to continue to grow and become strong and vigorous like Colossians 2 talks about. Sometimes we just need a bigger pot!
Written by Kim Hughes
