Jesus is the greatest teacher who ever lived. One of Jesus' techniques was to relate spiritual ideas to common everyday life. Pensamientos (afterthought) is an attempt to follow Jesus' method of teaching. Its title is in Spanish because we recognize the importance of multi-culturalism. We hope to translate some of these messages into Spanish soon.

Pensamientos para hoy (afterthought for today)

The Meadowlands

I often drive home by way of the New Jersey Turnpike. The route takes me though the Meadowlands and on occasion when the winds are high I can see tuffs of the meadowlands' grass blow by in the wind. When I see these seeds being carried by the wind I often wonder if they'll sprout and grow. If they do take root these seeds have the potential of growing and of increasing the size of the grasslands.

These plants, known scientifically as Phragmites australis, or just simply as the "common reed" can grow to be fourteen feet tall and are used in some countries to make thatched roofs, floor mats, and other useful items like baskets. Probably its most useful purpose here on the East Coast is to filter industrial and other waste from the water. Phragmites australis grows in colonies and spreads quickly through a root system and by spreading seeds. Phragmites australis is considered to be invasive which means that once it gets started it can overwhelm other already existing plant life. ¹

God wants the church to be like Phragmites australis. We are to spread like seeds in the wind. God's word having taken root in our hearts is then sent forth on the wind of the Spirit as we tell as many people as possible about the Lord Jesus. Each of us grows best in colonies--local churches--where our roots are interconnected by the Holy Spirit who binds us together, strengthens us, and nourishes us. We become useful to those around us as they see in us the fruit of the Spirit. And our influence contributes in a positive way to the people around us. We filter out the evil influences of Satan and help to keep the moral atmosphere of our society clean and pure. We are invasive in that we can spread throughout a community and become a dominating force for good in that community. As God's word says: "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:8)."²

So next time you see Phragmites australis blowing in the wind remember that you are to grow your roots deep through fellowship in your church, be a blessing to those around you, and spread the word as God's Spirit moves you into the lives of others who need him.

Spreading my roots deep so that I can send the seed far and wide,

Pastor Steve

¹ Phragmites australis(Common Reed), [web page] The Global Invasive Species Initiative available at www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/phraaust.html, The Nature Conservancy, 2000. Internet accessed February 2, 2007.

Phragmites australis: The Common Reed, [web page] available at www.site.www.umb.edu/conne/leslie/lesliepage.htm, Photo of a stand of Phragmites australis at Nauset Marsh, Cape Cod, Massachusetts courtesy of Dr. Lawrence Kaplan. Internet accessed February 2, 2007.

² John 3:8, NIV (New International Version). Unless otherwise noted all references to the Bible will be from the NIV.

Find more afterthoughts at Mas Pensamientos
(more afterthoughts)

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