Grow Where You're Planted

People and plants are a lot alike.

I was thinking about my yard this morning and a plant that recently decided it no longer wanted to live.

I take a somewhat organic approach to gardening. Yes, I plant with purpose, but I also allow nature to do some planting. Perhaps a seed dropped by a bird, or the wind and suddenly I see new, unexpected life springing up in places I had nothing to do with. I love that. On the flip side, if I plant something and it dies, I’m okay with it. I will plant something else; I will try a different species or variety, but I will try to nourish.

Not too long ago I hosted my dear friend Bernie Martin Beck on Women in the Word. Somewhere in that interview I asked Bernie if she had any advice and she simply stated, “Grow where you’re planted”. That has stuck with me.

Grow where you’re planted. People and plants are a lot alike. I know people that thrive in any and all conditions and circumstances and see others shrivel and die.

One of the songs we sing at Gateway is titled I Shall Not Be Moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved.

Just like a tree, planted by the water.

Oh Lord, I shall not be moved.

That song is based off scripture. Jeremiah wrote:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

I learned something new today as I was researching that song.

"I Shall Not Be Moved", also known as "We Shall Not Be Moved", is an African American slave spiritual, hymn, and protest song dating to the early 19th century American south. It was likely originally sung at revivalist camp-meetings as a slave jubilee. The song describes being "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of faith in God. Secularly, as "We Shall Not Be Moved" it gained popularity as a protest and union song of the Civil Rights Movement. Wikipedia

Other scripture that this song is based off is found in Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

And “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6 ESV

What does it mean to be like a tree planted by the water? I found the following at got questions dot org.

“To be like a tree planted by streams of water is to be one who has a regular supply of nourishment and refreshment. Plants growing near water are easily sustained and can thrive. Water is the ultimate source of life for a tree, so to be planted by water is to have a regular supply of life itself. This means that a tree planted by the water will grow to be strong and sturdy and have a good root system. Also, such a tree will consistently bear fruit, which is one of its primary purposes. Finally, the well-watered tree has the ability to provide shade (and therefore rest) to anyone who is in need.

“When we delight in and meditate on the Word of God, as the blessed man does in Psalm 1, we, too, will be like a tree planted by streams of water. We will be firmly rooted, and Jesus, our ultimate source of life, will bring nourishment and refreshment. We will regularly bear fruit, as Galatians 5:22–23 teaches. And we, as a tree planted by streams of water, will provide shade and rest to others who are burdened or are in need (Galatians 6:2, 10).”

People and plants are a lot alike. We can choose to stay firmly planted on the Rock of our salvation. We can choose to drink daily, even hourly, from the Living Water. We can choose to take our nourishment through the Living Bread. We can also choose to rebel. We can choose the opposite of life. We can choose to not have our roots firmly rooted in Jesus. It is our choice, but Jesus wants us to choose life.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV

by Jeanette Stark – Thursday, June 22, 2023