March 26, 2026 | Pastor Ellen Beach

We came home from spring break to find Fiona in crisis.

Fiona is our fiddle leaf fig tree, and she had been holding down the living room like a queen while we were gone. But when we walked through the door, she was not thriving. She was drooping. Leaves yellowing at the edges. You've seen it, that dramatic lean that says, "HELP!" Spencer looked at me. I looked at him. Fiona needed to go to the plant ER.

Here is what I know about fiddle leaf figs: they are not low-maintenance. They need consistency, water, and light and when they don't get all three, they decline dramatically. In other words, our 7 foot fiddle leaf was making a scene. And rightly so — any tree without water doesn't just adjust, it withers and dies.

What's true for Fiona is true for you: you can be planted in all the right places and still be dying of thirst.

Psalm 1 describes the person who meditates on God's Word day and night as "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." (Psalm 1:3) Notice what that verse doesn't say — it doesn't say the tree is planted near the water and hopes for the best. It says the tree is planted by the water. Rooted in it. Drinking from it constantly.

Here is what I want you to consider: You can be planted in the house of the Lord and still be spiritually dehydrated. You can have a great church, a great pastor, a great worship team, great community, and still be running on empty if you are not personally consuming the Word of God. Sunday morning is not a substitute for daily nourishment. Sermons are meant to supplement what you are already building in private, not replace it.

Jesus said in John 15:4, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine." Remaining is not a once-a-week event. It is a daily, ongoing, rooted posture. The branch that is only occasionally connected to the vine does not flourish. And friend, you were not made to just survive.

Fiona is back to thriving, by the way. We watered her. We moved her closer to the light. She is a flourishing beauty again. Because that is what water does. It restores what drought tries to destroy.

Your spiritual life can flourish too!

This week, read your Bible every single day. Start with five minutes, or one chapter. If you are wanting to start with a book of the Bible, try Philippians. It is so good and only has four chapters. Another great idea is to text a friend and invite them to join a Bible reading plan with you. There are great online options. Accountability changes everything. Let's water those roots!

Join us this Sunday at Building Church. I will be sharing a personal story of God's healing work in my life. Invite a friend who needs healing in some area of their life. Let’s believe for the impossible together! 

— Pastor Ellen