Everyday, we are becoming something. We are either becoming more like the world or more like Jesus.
As Christians, we can often ask ourselves, “How do I become like Christ?” Personally, if this question is asked, I immediately come up with a to-do list: read my Bible, pray, go to church, serve, bear good fruit, etc. I could come up with a million ways to become more like Christ and if I could figure out a way to perform some miracles here and there, then I would really be set!
There is an expectation that the fruit (Matthew 7:17-20 and Colossians 1:10) we bear must be abundant and often. Because of this expectation, we grab our list of requirements and begin performing to the best of our ability, expecting growth to sprout and fruit to continually produce. We want the sun to shine on us as amazing Christians. Then, and only then, will we have “become.”
However, what if we have missed an important part of becoming? In his song, Let the Ground Rest, one of my favorite artists, Chris Renzema, puts it this way,
“Don’t you find it strange?
That God, He made four seasons and only one spring.
So just let the ground rest
‘Cause if it’s not right now, it’s for the best
You’re gonna grow, I know this
But for now, just let the ground rest.”
In our mission to “become” we forgot that we don’t just do, we also rest. God created nature and seasons with intentionality, knowing that there would only be growth at certain times of the year. He then mandated that Christians have a Sabbath day of rest. For some reason we have convinced ourselves that the only way we will experience spiritual growth in our lives is if we constantly dig, till, plant, weed, and water. This persistent work has ended up leaving us exhausted and fruitless.
This spring, as we see the warm weather produce fresh green grass and beautiful flowers, let’s also consider the cool autumn and cold winter when the ground was resting.
To become, we too sometimes need to rest.
Meet the author!
Addi Suenram is married to Merritt Suenram, CRBC’s youth minister. Addi is passionate about using writing as an avenue to help Christians pursue God and go deeper in their faith. She can also use poetry to speak about the problem of pain and the hope of Jesus Christ.
She has been speaking at church events, both for youth groups and adults, for six years. She was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Relay for Life event. Addi has also spoken at two YMCA Livestrong programs for cancer survivors.