Here in Florida we’ve got Bermuda Grass, aka Wiregrass, and I have to admit that my yard is full of it. Years of living in the Middle East make me think I should let God grow what he wants to grow in my yard, so I don’t do much to groom my lawn. Wiregrass just happens to be a part of it.
It is an interesting plant and, even though it is hated by lawn keepers, it holds a good lesson for tentmakers. It is a very successful plant and I have pulled out strings of this long grass that have been 8-10 feet or more. The key to its success is that it puts down roots. Unlike many other plants which grow long or tall from a single root base, Wiregrass continues to put down a new set of roots every 6-12 inches. This means that even separating it from its origin isn’t going to damage it or even slow down its growth.
Tentmakers need to have this sort of approach. You might have a job that moves you and your family often. If so, surviving and thriving means putting down roots wherever you are. Get settled quickly. Establish friendships early. Get connected with believers in a hurry. Set family routines and traditions that you can do no matter where you go.
As an example of this, friends of mine settled into our church in Florida pretty quickly and we remarked to them how we were impressed at how quickly they made friends and got involved. They noted that the husband was in the Marine Corps, so they were accustomed to moving every few years and subsequently, settling in quickly. They said, “Yeah, we don’t mess around. We’re usually firmly settled into our new church about two months after we arrive.”
Put down roots. You might be removed from your country of origin, but you can still thrive wherever you are.
