Blooms in Full Son
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."
Flowers never hide. They can't. Flowers grow, planted in soil, watered by rain and fed through the sunlight. Flowers naturally grow up, toward the sun. I've never seen a flower hiding underneath a rock or burying it's head in the dirt, it's just not natural. In fact, flowers that don't grow toward the sun often wither and die. They rely on that stretch to the source of life.
Christians are no different. We are planted as children of God, grounded in the One who created us and in His precious Word. We are watered by the Spirit at just the right times through rain and all the time through our "ground." We are fed by the Son, the One who saved us. He is our constant source for lasting growth. We stretch and grow toward our source, standing tall with our faces toward the sun...right?
There are some believers who make this analogy easy to see. Some believers are acutely aware of where they gain life, strength and growth. Some are eager to acknowledge the One who bolsters their being, the One who tenderly cares for them when affected by outside factors. In fact, some believers can't help but smile in the face of the Son, soaking up his goodness. Those faces are beautiful examples of what we as believers were created to display. Unexplainable beauty in full bloom.
There are also other believers who are equally as beautiful, but not available for full display. Those faces have shifted to a focus other than the source of life. Perhaps some blossoms are busy, looking at other blossoms to see if they are comparable. Others may be busy preparing themselves for display in ways that take the focus off of the Son. Still there are others, completely closed up for reasons all their own. Whatever the purpose, many believers are reluctant to bask in God.
I imagine what church would look like in the case of believers who constantly display the unexplained beauty that comes from being strengthened by the Lord. Church would be a place of delicate peace. What a display to see so many blossoms facing toward the Son! Pews would be filled with individuals unashamed to smile, weep, or clap in light of what God has done. The interaction between believers would change. Less handshakes and more hugs would be passed around. Believers would jump at the opportunity to pray for one another and praise the Lord for all He has done. What a sight!
We were created to grow toward God. He offers us food every day. The choice is ours to take the nourishment He gives. The choice is ours in how we use that nourishment. The choice is ours in our reaction of thanksgiving toward our Father for His provision. Oh, that I would be a delicate rose, stretched toward the Son today!
God, make me aware of your strength. Help me to see your beauty in the believers around me. Make me a woman who basks in You! Thank You for Your beauty and the design of nature. Your creation reflects parts of Your plan and character. That reflection is beautiful and perfect. All because of you, God. Thank You.
1 Peter 1:23
Flowers never hide. They can't. Flowers grow, planted in soil, watered by rain and fed through the sunlight. Flowers naturally grow up, toward the sun. I've never seen a flower hiding underneath a rock or burying it's head in the dirt, it's just not natural. In fact, flowers that don't grow toward the sun often wither and die. They rely on that stretch to the source of life.
Christians are no different. We are planted as children of God, grounded in the One who created us and in His precious Word. We are watered by the Spirit at just the right times through rain and all the time through our "ground." We are fed by the Son, the One who saved us. He is our constant source for lasting growth. We stretch and grow toward our source, standing tall with our faces toward the sun...right?
There are some believers who make this analogy easy to see. Some believers are acutely aware of where they gain life, strength and growth. Some are eager to acknowledge the One who bolsters their being, the One who tenderly cares for them when affected by outside factors. In fact, some believers can't help but smile in the face of the Son, soaking up his goodness. Those faces are beautiful examples of what we as believers were created to display. Unexplainable beauty in full bloom.
There are also other believers who are equally as beautiful, but not available for full display. Those faces have shifted to a focus other than the source of life. Perhaps some blossoms are busy, looking at other blossoms to see if they are comparable. Others may be busy preparing themselves for display in ways that take the focus off of the Son. Still there are others, completely closed up for reasons all their own. Whatever the purpose, many believers are reluctant to bask in God.
I imagine what church would look like in the case of believers who constantly display the unexplained beauty that comes from being strengthened by the Lord. Church would be a place of delicate peace. What a display to see so many blossoms facing toward the Son! Pews would be filled with individuals unashamed to smile, weep, or clap in light of what God has done. The interaction between believers would change. Less handshakes and more hugs would be passed around. Believers would jump at the opportunity to pray for one another and praise the Lord for all He has done. What a sight!
We were created to grow toward God. He offers us food every day. The choice is ours to take the nourishment He gives. The choice is ours in how we use that nourishment. The choice is ours in our reaction of thanksgiving toward our Father for His provision. Oh, that I would be a delicate rose, stretched toward the Son today!
God, make me aware of your strength. Help me to see your beauty in the believers around me. Make me a woman who basks in You! Thank You for Your beauty and the design of nature. Your creation reflects parts of Your plan and character. That reflection is beautiful and perfect. All because of you, God. Thank You.
Amen.
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