The Bamboo Tree

Have you ever heard the story of the bamboo tree? When a bamboo seed is planted, it doesn’t grow in the way we expect. For years, it seems like nothing is happening—no visible growth above the ground. But during that time, the bamboo is spreading its roots deep and wide beneath the surface, preparing for an incredible transformation. Then, in its fifth year, the bamboo tree suddenly shoots up, growing as much as 90 feet in just a few weeks.

The process of the bamboo tree reminds me of how God works in seasons of preparation. Growth may feel invisible, but the unseen work beneath the surface is essential for the towering impact that will come later. Jesus’ words in Mark 4:26-28 echo this truth: 'The kingdom of God is as if someone should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'

This is the season The Ravens Collective finds itself in. To the world, it may seem like little progress is being made, but we believe God is establishing deep roots for a greater purpose. Like the bamboo tree, we are preparing for a future where we will grow in ways that seem impossible, creating a space where outcasts, skeptics, and seekers can find healing and belonging.

For those of you who feel like outsiders—especially in a time when faith and politics have left so many disillusioned—the story of the bamboo tree is also for you. Perhaps you’ve experienced deep pain or rejection in your faith journey, especially during divisive times, like the Trump presidency, when the church may have felt like more of a battleground than a place of refuge. Maybe you feel unseen, unheard, or unsure of where you fit in the larger story of God’s kingdom.

But take heart: just as the bamboo grows in its own time, God is working in you. The quiet seasons, the unseen struggles, the deep questions—these are not wasted. They are part of the process of preparing you for the calling God has placed on your life. Like Esther, we feel positioned for such a time as this (Esther 4:14), to bring light and love into spaces that desperately need it.

Together, we can be part of a slow and steady work that grows into something beautiful. Let’s plant deep roots, trust God’s timing, and watch as His kingdom comes to life in ways we can’t yet imagine. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey.

Blessings,

Lexie Mahaffey