Devotional for Third Sunday of Lent

Rooted in the Earth

He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Mark 4:30-32

Photo credit:
Patti Backes, Christian’s mother

On a recent trip to central Arizona, my family and I went hiking in the Sonoran Desert. I was awed by the beauty of the desert landscape, which was framed by mountains on all sides and dotted with countless towering saguaro cacti reaching toward the sky. Though the saguaro only grows in the Sonoran Desert, it has become a universal symbol of the American West due to its distinct and majestic appearance. 

Saguaro seeds begin quite small, and as they germinate, they put out roots that run deep and wide in order to access water stored underground while also efficiently collecting whatever rainwater might fall. The mature saguaro’s flowers produce nectar and pollen for bees, moths, bats, and birds, and its fruit hydrates and nourishes desert animals of all kinds. The gilded flicker and Gila woodpecker carve out cavities to nest inside these cacti, and when they leave, various other kinds of small birds often move in. Large birds can also be found nesting in the saguaro’s arms and using them as hunting platforms. In the midst of a harsh and unforgiving climate, the saguaro stands tall, rooted in the earth, giving new life and allowing it to flourish.

As we contemplate our own spiritual deserts during this season of Lent, let us remember that we are called to sow sacred seeds which—like the saguaros—root themselves in the earth, carrying the promise of new and abundant life for all of creation.

Prayer

Loving Creator, bless us that we might always remember to dutifully care for the seeds You provide for us to sow. Let us always be aware of Your presence in all of creation and stay rooted in Christ, who calls us to cultivate Your kingdom in bringing about a transformed and renewed creation here on earth.

Christian McIvor serves as the Music & Worship Minister at College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC, where he started the Creation Justice Team. He also serves on the steering committee for the Alliance of Baptists Creation Justice Community. He has actively performed across the Southeast as a trumpet player and singer/songwriter for many years and he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Chrissy, and their daughters, Juliette and River.