Spiritual Photosynthesis

The science book said that seeds need three things to help them grow-- light, warmth and moisture. They don't need soil or sun or plant food. Everything they require to begin their growth is self-contained in their cotyledons (new vocabulary word. Impressive, huh?).

To test this theory, we placed seeds in plastic bags in three places. One set of seeds went in the refrigerator, one in the closet, and the third batch was taped to the dining room window.


After two weeks, there was a dramatic difference between the three seeds. The seeds in the fridge were, not surprisingly, still seeds. A little wrinkled, but showing no signs of growth.

The seeds in closet did grow. They sent out their sprouts in long, lean tendrils that reached for the sun, but never found it. Their pale yellow leaves could not produce chlorophyll and the plants eventually died.

The third group of seeds, the ones in the window, grew more slowly than the ones in the closet. They sprouted little green leaves and sent out hairy roots. They grew strong enough to be transplanted to the garden where they will continue to grow and produce hundreds more seeds after their kind.

As I watched the progress of the seeds, it reminded me of a modern-day, homemade version of the Parable of the Sower. There are people who, like the seeds in the fridge, freeze their hearts against change. They cannot hear the good news or any other news.

The darkness growers are those who get a taste of some spiritual experience and chase after it. They reach out, seeking after something they cannot reach. At first, their growth looks healthy. But they reach a point where there is no substance to their experience and they shrivel and die. Unless they look to the light, they are doomed.

The last group, those who grow in the living water and in the light of God, will thrive. They are the ones who will produce according to God's design. They will bear fruit many times their own ability.

This little story is not really about the seeds or their locations. It's about being the right kind of person in the right kind of conditions. It's about finding a healthy place to grow.