Wonky Growth

Zinnias are one of my favorite flowers. They, along with Gerbera Daisies are some of the happiest flowers I have ever seen. They are a wonderful pop of color for any spot on your porch or in your yard, and they are just a burst of happiness. I have a few pots of them, and I love them!

However, if you watch the growth process of a zinnia, it is not pretty. They actually look really weird. They start out not looking healthy at all- kind of like they are dried up.

And then they look like a kindergartener’s drawing: full center, sparse petals. They kind of look like someone came along and picked off most of the petals from the top. They’re super wonky-looking. (Yes, that is the scientific term.)

Actually, that’s how they grow. The center develops within the bud and opens up. So the flower looks bald. Then the petals along the bottom begin to pop out as little nubs, then get longer and start to unfurl. Then the next layer up does the same thing. And so on and so on until there is a beautiful, full flower in bloom.

I was struck the other day about how that is like our spiritual growth. Jesus is our center. When we put our faith in Him, our center is developed in the bud. As we begin to let the Holy Spirit change our lives through the Word of God, little petals begin to grow.

It starts at the bottom with our foundation. Discipleship helps us make sure those petals are full and strong. And while we are growing, we might seem wonky. It might look like nothing much is happening, or that it’s even a little weird.

We have petals that are fully unfurled, and other petals that are just starting to poke out, and still others that are fully grown, but haven’t opened up yet.

This is totally normal! Spiritual growth is not a one-and-done kind of deal. We have to be patient with ourselves, and with each other. And just as no two zinnias grow the same way, so do no two Christians grow the same way.

Don’t look at others and think your growth pattern should match theirs. You have your own walk, your own journey. Focus on each petal as it comes.

When we come to the place where we consistently invest time in the Word, and we have surrendered to God, it all starts to make sense. Things just seem to come together. One day it all kind of “clicks”, but it wasn’t really instantaneous. It was the culmination of hours, weeks, even years of investing in our foundation and growth.

Once our spiritual flower is in full bloom, it brings joy to others. The Lord’s working in us allows us to be a pop of color in someone else’s day, and perhaps bring them a bit of happiness through a kind word, encouragement, a thoughtful note, or a listening ear.

Don’t discount wonky growth. Wait it out. Stay faithful. God is blooming you!

2 Peter 1:3-8
(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
(6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
[8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

2 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: