On Sunday May 6, 2012, The Grand Rapids Press Homes section featured an article entitled, “Gardening 101.” One of the tips for gardening success was: “Water properly. Don’t water frequently for only brief periods. Doing so causes plant roots to hover near the soil surface. Instead deep-soak each time you water to encourage roots to grow deeply into the soil.”
Gardening provides an almost unlimited source of metaphors for thinking about the Christian life. In this case, the comparison between frequently, but briefly watering a plant, versus providing a deep soak offers a helpful comparison for understanding self-esteem and identity in Christ.
As Christians we all need and long for affirmation, just like a plant longs for water. But just as there are two kinds of watering – each with a different result – there are two kinds of affirmation that we can receive.
The first is the quick hit of affirmation, which comes like the spray of a squirt bottle. This usually occurs when we first take on a service project or begin a ministry. In the first few weeks of volunteering in children’s ministry, for example, we may receive encouragement from the pastor, our new team leader and appreciative parents. It is appropriate that they are grateful for our willingness to serve and the new energy we bring to the task.
However, with time, our contributions become routine, expected even, and may begin to feel that we are taken for granted. The frequency of encouragement and verbal affirmation decreases. It is at this point that we can be tempted to jump ship; to find another ministry and experience another season of initial affirmation and encouragement.
But the danger in doing this is that it creates a Christian identity based on seasons of brief watering, which causes shallow roots. Our self-esteem as a servant of Christ becomes wrapped up in the verbal affirmation and encouragement of others, and it is possible to become almost addicted to these quick-hit “brief waterings,” and dependent on them to feel valuable in God’s kingdom.
However, there is another kind of encouragement and affirmation that comes when we are serving Christ. The encouragement that comes from the faithfulness of long-term service. This kind of affirmation and encouragement can still come from other Christians, but also from God. We hear His Spirit telling us, “well, done good and faithful servant.” We see the fruit of sustained, faithful ministry. Such a faithful ministry over time will require us to rely heavily upon the Lord, and that becomes the deep watering of our soul.
The “thank yous” that come in those situations are not because we have brought a new energy or a fresh approach or filled a vacancy. The gratitude comes because we have effected real life change in others and communicated something about Jesus’ sustaining grace in the process.
That kind of affirmation is like a deep soak. It causes the roots of our identity to grow deep into Christ. We see that he carried us through the good times and the bad.
We need to be frequently asking the Lord about what ministries he wants us to be invovled in and how long to serve. However, I see some Christians today who have become addicted to the quick hit affirmation –bouncing from ministry to ministry looking for that initial gratitude and encouragement and then leaving for seemingly greener pastures when it dries up.
But there is great value in doing one thing and sticking with it.
Blessings,
Jim