Before You Can Grow Up, You Must First Grow Down

There's a powerful truth hidden in the soil beneath our feet—one that gardeners know instinctively but that many of us miss in our spiritual lives: before anything can grow up, it must first grow down. 

Think about it. Every plant, every tree, every living thing that reaches toward the sky begins its journey in darkness, hidden beneath the surface where roots take hold. It's a pattern woven into creation itself, and it mirrors a profound spiritual reality that can transform how we understand growth in our relationship with God. 

## The Pattern of Growth 

Growth follows a predictable pattern: change, chaos, and then growth. It starts with change—a seed moved from where it is to where it's planted. That seed enters a dark, hidden place where no one sees what's happening. Then comes germination, which looks like underground chaos. Roots explode in every direction, breaking through the seed's protective shell, reaching desperately for nutrients and stability. 

Only after this hidden, chaotic work happens beneath the surface does anything visible emerge. A tiny seedling breaks through the soil. It's not much at first—fragile, vulnerable, easily overlooked. But it represents something profound: what erupted underground can now be seen. 

This is the journey of faith. The moments of change when God moves us from comfortable to uncomfortable. The seasons of chaos when everything feels like it's breaking apart beneath the surface of our lives. And finally, the growth that becomes visible to others—the fruit that demonstrates something real has been happening all along. 

## The Olive Tree: A Picture of Endurance 

Throughout Scripture, God uses the olive tree as a powerful symbol of what a thriving spiritual life looks like. There's good reason for this. Olive trees are remarkable. 

An olive tree takes three to seven years to reach maturity—strong enough to withstand drought, heat, and the harsh conditions of the Mediterranean climate. Between 15 and 20 years, it reaches peak maturity and begins producing significant, usable fruit. But here's what's truly astonishing: that same tree will continue producing fruit for the next 150 years. 

Olive trees are virtually indestructible. You can cut one down completely, and its root system is so strong, so deep, so healthy that it will literally regenerate itself and begin producing fruit again. There are olive trees in Greece documented to be 5,000 years old, still standing, still producing. 

King David understood this imagery when he wrote in Psalm 52:8-9: "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good." 

David likened himself to an olive tree planted in the house of God, flourishing because his roots had good soil to grow as deep as they could grow. The result? His story went higher and higher. 

## Evaluating Your Roots 

So here's the critical question: How are your roots? 

The truth is, you can't see roots. They're underground, hidden from view. But you can always tell the condition of your roots based on the quality of your fruit. 

What kind of fruit is your life producing? Is it the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Does the world around you know you love Jesus by the way you love others? 

Or is Jesus competing with a thousand other priorities—career advancement, children's activities, social status, material possessions, and the endless distractions that consume modern life? Is He your one and only, or is He one of many? 

The fruit reveals the roots. Always. 

If you want unshakable faith—the kind that withstands storms, endures droughts, and produces fruit season after season—you need roots that go deep into the soil of God's love, God's Word, God's will, and God's way. 

## The Cost of Deep Roots 

Here's something we often miss: everything worth something costs something. 

Deep roots don't develop accidentally. They require intentionality. They demand that we push through the resistance of hard soil. They ask us to endure the darkness of seasons when nothing visible is happening. 

Growing deep roots costs time—time in prayer, time in Scripture, time in community with other believers. It costs talent—using your gifts not just for personal advancement but for kingdom purposes. It costs touch—being physically present, serving, engaging with the messy reality of other people's lives. 

And yes, it costs treasure. This is where many people get uncomfortable. We live in a culture that celebrates generosity toward everything except the kingdom of God. We'll drop five dollars on coffee without thinking twice, upgrade our phones annually, and spend freely on entertainment and comfort. But when it comes to investing in eternal things, suddenly we become accountants, scrutinizing every dollar. 

The reality is that every organization is "about your money"—Starbucks, Apple, your favorite restaurant. They all want your money, and nobody gets offended by that. But there's a crucial difference: those companies are accountable only to their shareholders and their bottom line. 

When you invest in God's kingdom, you're accountable to an eternal bottom line. The return on your investment isn't measured in quarterly earnings but in transformed lives, redeemed stories, and eternal destinies changed. The "shareholders" you're serving are people you haven't even met yet—future generations who will benefit from your obedience today. 

## Planting for Future Generations 

Imagine an olive tree planted today. The person who plants it might enjoy some of its fruit, but the real harvest comes decades later. The greatest beneficiaries are people the planter will never meet—children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond. 

That's the legacy of deep roots. When you commit to growing deep in your faith, when you invest sacrificially in God's work, when you serve faithfully even when it's costly and inconvenient, you're planting an olive tree. You're creating a legacy that will produce fruit long after you're gone. 

## The Invitation 

So what's holding you back from going deeper? What's preventing your roots from growing down into the rich soil of God's unfailing love? 

Maybe it's fear of change. Maybe it's resistance to the chaos that deep growth requires. Maybe it's the cost—the time, talent, touch, or treasure you'd have to surrender. 

But consider this: the life you're living right now, with shallow roots and limited fruit, is that really what you want? Or do you want to be like that olive tree—unshakable, indestructible, producing fruit season after season, leaving a legacy that outlasts your lifetime? 

Before you can grow up, you must first grow down. It's time to let your roots go deep.