Valentine’s
Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries… All are occasions that a husband
may choose to give flowers to his wife. This
long-standing practice symbolizes love and beauty given to a beloved, beautiful
bride. These flowers are often displayed in an attractive vase set in a
location that draws the eye of all who enter the room.
Each spring, garden centers display an array of colorful plants
ready for purchase. Alongside trees, vegetables and greenery, one can find a
wide variety of flowering plants intended to bring beauty to a yard or a home’s
interior. Plants can be either annuals or perennials. Annuals bring wonderful
color and beauty for a single season and then leave the land open for new
plants the following year. Perennials are more permanent. Once planted, they
can remain in the ground to bloom over and over again for years to come. Although
the colorful flowers may be present for only a portion of the season, life
continues to be seen in the leaves of these wonderful plants.
The beautiful riot of color found in flowers mirrors to the
colorful diversity of God’s work in our lives.
Some blessings are given to us simply by grace as a display of
God’s love for us. Creation, salvation and righteousness are all given to us
solely by grace. God created the heavens and the earth and all its beauty with
us in mind. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and our righteousness is
found in Him only. These gifts are given to us purely out of God’s abundant
love. “…as
the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5b AMP) Living a life for
God, we display these wonderful gifts of grace. “However, we possess this precious
treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth,
that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from
God and not from ourselves.” (2
Corinthians 4:7 AMP)
God has also selected from His vast array of gifts and calls the
perfect plan for your life. The ability to join with Him and produce beauty is
continually available. “For
God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once
they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives
His grace or to whom He sends His call.]” (Romans
11:29 AMP) God never takes away His grace or abandons His children. His
purpose and call upon our life endures, but it may not look continually the
same.
Like the annual plants, some of the work God chooses to do may
only be for a short season. Our purposes are fulfilled and God will move us on
to something else. Any future work to be done will be by someone else that God
sends. “He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same
importance and esteem),” (1 Corinthians 3:8a AMP) He
will provide the new beauty for every season.
Other areas of ministry are more like the perennial plants. God
can choose to place abilities and passions in us to use some for a lifetime. We
may be planted and remain in a plot of spiritual ground for many years. Even in
this, there will be seasons of rest and even dormancy. We must be content with
all aspects of our calling. This includes the rather mundane but life-giving
activities, (green foliage) stunning activity (full, colorful bloom) or a
period of rest. (Winter) “Whatever
may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for
the Lord and not for men,” (Colossians
3:23 AMP) We are to be
faithful in all stages and use our time and gifts well, always drawing from the
rich soil of God’s word and love.
Receive the gifts of God’s
grace just because He loves you. Display them well. Walk in His service
whether your steps are for a short season or lifetime work. Bloom
well. All this is beautiful!
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