Digging Deep and Reaching High

Pastor Brendon

7 minute read

 

Hello, Create Church family! I’m Pastor Brendon from Fusion Church in New Jersey, and I am thrilled to be back with you all today to dive into a subject that’s close to both God’s and my heart:

Spiritual growth.

Let’s begin with Scripture:

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Mark 4:3–9 (NIV)

Jesus’s parable of the farmer sowing his seed holds the secret to spiritual growth. In order to have growth, you have to have deep roots. Jesus tells us that some seed falls along the path, some on rocky places, some among thorns, and some on good soil. Each type of soil represents different conditions for growth, mirroring the various seasons we experience in our faith journeys.

1) What Does Your Ground Look Like?

In Mark 4:14–20 (NIV), Jesus goes on to explain the symbolism behind the parable. Some are like the seed along the path, where the Word is sown but quickly snatched away. Others receive the Word with joy but have no deep roots, falling away when faced with trouble. Some hear the word but let worries and desires choke it out. Finally, there are those like the seed sown on good soil who hear the word, accept it, and produce a fruitful crop.

Consider, what does the soil of your life look like? Are you sometimes like shallow soil, sprouting quickly but withering away when trials come? Or perhaps you’ve faced thorny ground, where concerns and worldly desires threaten your spiritual growth? The goal is to cultivate fertile soil through discipleship, allowing deep roots to take hold.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT) encourages you to let your roots grow deep into Christ. When you build your life on Him, your faith becomes stronger, and you begin to overflow with thankfulness.

What Soil Do You Feel You Have in Your Life?

Shallow soil – Quick growth but no deep roots (burnout).
Soil with thorns – Choked by worldly issues and sin.
Fertile soil – Producing a crop through discipleship.

2) The Size of Your Tool = The Size of Your Hole

In your journey of spiritual growth, the size of your tool often equals the size of your hole. Just as a farmer uses different tools for different types of soil, you should equip yourself accordingly.

Consider the various spiritual disciplines (from Richard J Foster) as tools:

  • Meditation
  • Prayer
  • Fasting
  • Study
  • Simplicity
  • Solitude
  • Submission
  • Service
  • Confession
  • Worship
  • Guidance
  • Celebration

Each tool serves a unique purpose and helps you cultivate different aspects of your spiritual life. It’s essential to choose the right tool for the condition of your soil.

3) Fasting and Prayer Are Super Tools

In Matthew 17:21, Jesus declares that some challenges can only be overcome through prayer and fasting. Throughout history, fasting and prayer have been powerful spiritual tools for deepening your personal connection with God. There’s no substitute.

From Moses and Esther to Daniel and Nehemiah, you can see how fasting played a pivotal role in their journeys of faith. Every single one of them has been recorded as practicing prayer and fasting. Even Jesus and the Apostle Paul turned to fasting to prepare for ministry and receive divine wisdom.

Reflect on your spiritual soil. What does it resemble, and where do you want it to be?
Develop a plan to dig deep and cultivate the right soil for your spiritual growth in 2024.
As you journey with your fellow Create Church members toward spiritual growth, remember that deep roots enable us to reach greater heights in your faith. Commit to dig deep, reach high, and continue growing in your relationship with God.