What’s underneath?
by Georgie Schuster
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For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness … knowledge … self-control … endurance … godliness … mutual affection and … love (2 Peter 1:5–7).
Soil profiles. On the surface, shallow and deep profiles can look similar. But when it comes to growing the seed and caring for it so that it flourishes, shallow and deep soils produce very different outcomes. Weather conditions aren’t always favourable. Wind or lack of water can wreak havoc, especially when the plant’s root system can’t reach deep into the soil and the resources it needs to survive.
Relationships can be like that.
Consider the list of attributes mentioned in the text, and think of them in terms of a rich and deep ‘soil profile’. ‘Weather conditions’ (circumstances) aren’t always favourable. Sometimes you need to reach down to the traits/skills of perseverance, self-control and love to keep the relationship viable during a season of duress. Each quality listed in the text above is important in sustaining, strengthening and enabling our connections to ultimately flourish.
As we live our lives, redeemed by Jesus and freed from the shackles that bound us, we continue to grow in the understanding of all that this means. We respond in loving and serving God and others. These attributes equip us to follow Jesus’ command to ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34). Who has Jesus placed on your heart to check in with today?
Dear God, as I love and serve you today, guide me to the relationships you want me to cultivate. Thank you for providing everything I need. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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