Last summer one of my daughters bought me a banana plant. I had never kept a banana plant before and I was
impressed by the speed of growth; every few days a new leaf would appear!
But unfortunately, due to my lack of banana plant care, I left it outside for the winter and it has died.
Fortunately, this spring, one of my other daughters has bought me another banana plant, which, of course, I have
been extremely careful with, keeping it indoors and even rotating windows sills so it gets the most sun!
But what has most caught my attention about this new banana plant, and I assume all banana plants, is the way
they grow.
New leaves do appear very rapidly, but as they do, the oldest leaf dies off, but the plant still gets fatter and taller; it
thrives.
This reminded me of our Christian journeys and what Christ tells us to do with the things which are wrong in our
lives.
He says we are to die to these things then we will be able to thrive, to live life to the full. Romans 6:11 says; ‘In the
same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.’ [NIVUK]
Jesus isn’t asking us to lose things which benefit us, but the things which hinder us in our relationship with Him. He
doesn’t want to take life away, but to give it to us. John 10:10b; ‘I have come that they may have life and have it to
the full.’ [NIVUK]
So, just as the banana plant sheds the things which could hold back growth, may we shed the things which hold us
back, and grasp that fulness of life which Jesus talks about in John 10:10.
I look forward to hoping seeing you all soon in person!
Every blessing,
Pastor Steve