"And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out."
Alma 32:37-38
Here, Alma compares the word, or the gospel, to a seed. It's an interesting analogy that is a really good reminder to us. Often we think or feel that commitment to God is a single decision. We commit, we get baptized, and we're done. Instead, like many other commitments in life, it is a beginning--the planting of a seed. We might look forward an anticipate the fruit of that action, or the grandeur of the eventual tree, but we still have to work to get there. How do we nourish the seed? Mostly I think by maintaining that commitment every day. We can do things like remembering God through prayer, scripture study, good works, etc. We can think and talk about gospel principles. Getting those gospel roots growing and planted deep will help us grow up tall and strong, and able to weather the storms of life without losing our connection with God, and letting our precious and young testimonies wither away.
Today, let's remember that God is an all-the-time, everyday commitment, and that the gospel permeates all parts of our lives, not just occasionally on Sundays. :) Let's be careful with our seedlings, and later with our trees, and make sure that our hearts and souls are open and welcoming ground for God's word, and that we don't ever let any internal or external axes near.
But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out."
Alma 32:37-38
Here, Alma compares the word, or the gospel, to a seed. It's an interesting analogy that is a really good reminder to us. Often we think or feel that commitment to God is a single decision. We commit, we get baptized, and we're done. Instead, like many other commitments in life, it is a beginning--the planting of a seed. We might look forward an anticipate the fruit of that action, or the grandeur of the eventual tree, but we still have to work to get there. How do we nourish the seed? Mostly I think by maintaining that commitment every day. We can do things like remembering God through prayer, scripture study, good works, etc. We can think and talk about gospel principles. Getting those gospel roots growing and planted deep will help us grow up tall and strong, and able to weather the storms of life without losing our connection with God, and letting our precious and young testimonies wither away.
Today, let's remember that God is an all-the-time, everyday commitment, and that the gospel permeates all parts of our lives, not just occasionally on Sundays. :) Let's be careful with our seedlings, and later with our trees, and make sure that our hearts and souls are open and welcoming ground for God's word, and that we don't ever let any internal or external axes near.
No comments:
Post a Comment