Do you like growing runner beans – freshly picked ones taste so
good don’t they! Each carefully nurtured little plant is
assigned it’s place, with a stick ready for it to climb. Soon a tender shoot emerges.
Its interesting to see how different plants behave: some quickly find their sticks,
twining closely and climbing strongly. Others need coaxing: you have to place the
lengthening shoot gently round the stick before it will start climbing. Some seem
to value their freedom and resist all efforts to help. They just continue to wave
about defiantly. Eventually, all are climbing away, producing red flowers for the
bees and, at last, succulent food for us! But suppose the little plants went
completely their own way, with no stick? They wouldn’t hold up for long. They
would soon flop to the ground, prey to slugs and snails. If they manage to flower,
the bees might miss them. Any beans that were produced would rot on the damp
soil.

Life without God is like that. We might like our own way, but without his support
and guidance we cannot reach our full potential. Jesus told a parable about
growing seeds with a similar kind of message. You can find it in the 8th chapter of
Luke’s gospel.

Lord so often my life seems to lack stability.
There are days when I feel so irritable and
frustrated, days when I feel inadequate and
uncertain.
I give you thanks for being with me and
holding me firm in my moments of weakness
and doubt.
May the remembrance of your sustaining love
and constant goodness, fill me today and
tomorrow with confidence and hope.

Colin (excerpt from Hello! This is Message