Keep Growing

Scripture (Isaiah 58:11, NKJV):

"The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Devotional:

When I first moved into this house and looked at a cactus that had been nearly destroyed by a hard freeze (which apparently usually never happens in Florida) - go figure it was the year I moved here, LOL. Most of it had turned brown and looked completely dead - as you can tell in some spots. If someone had seen it months ago, they probably would have said, “Pull it up. It’s gone.”

But I couldn’t. Something kept telling me to keep watering it. So I did, even when it didn’t look like anything was changing.

Then little green pads started appearing. One after another. Before long, I realized something incredible wasn’t just happening - the new growth wasn’t trying to make the dead parts come back to life. It was simply growing so much that the dead pieces began falling away on their own.

I couldn’t help but smile because that’s exactly what Jesus has done in my life.

When I gave my life to Christ, He didn’t spend every day pointing out all the broken parts of me. He didn’t constantly remind me of my past, my mistakes, or the years I wasted. Instead, He began pouring Living Water into my heart.

He grew my love for His Word, He grew my desire to serve others, He grew my church family, He grew my faith, He grew my purpose, and while all that new life was growing…the old life started falling away.

The addiction, the shame, the guilt, the fear, the need for approval. The more I focused on Jesus, the less room there was for the things that were dying anyway. That’s what sanctification looks like.

Sometimes we spend so much time asking God to remove our old life that we forget His greatest work is often growing a new one. As we stay rooted in Christ and continue receiving His Living Water, He transforms us from the inside out. Before long, what once held us captive begins losing its grip.

Looking at that cactus reminded me that Jesus isn’t finished with us just because there are still scars. Some parts may never look the same again, but new life keeps growing anyway. Maybe that’s the miracle.

Not that the dead parts fall away…

But that Jesus never stops growing something beautiful in their place. ❤️

So if you're anything like me, I encourage you to not get so down on yourself and know that people Jesus has placed in your life are there for a reason. Maybe you never had any mat carriers on your side like I didn't, but you will - I promise - give it time, patience, love to yourself, forgiveness to yourself, and never forgetting to look back at how far you've come when you get down on yourself. You will keep growing... and it will be worth the wait!!!

Questions to consider:

1. What “dead” area of your life have you been focusing on instead of noticing the new growth Jesus has already begun?

2. Are you spending more time trying to fix yourself, or are you spending time with Jesus and allowing Him to transform you?

3. What new fruit has Jesus grown in your life that proves He is still at work in you today?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for seeing life where I only saw brokenness. Just as You brought new growth to a cactus that looked beyond saving, You have brought new life to my heart. Help me stop staring at the dead parts of my past and instead celebrate the new work You are doing in me. Keep watering my soul through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your presence. Continue growing my faith, my love, my compassion, and my obedience until my life reflects You more each day. May the old things continue to fall away as I remain rooted in You, and may others see Your goodness through the life You are creating in me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.💙