Lessons From the Greenhouse
Today I was sitting on the couch and I noticed our plant. I love this plant...it makes me feel like we have a fancy kitchen out of a magazine; like something in my life is stylish and tasteful. In reality, our kitchen isn't very fancy and I don't know how to make it look like I envision in my mind; however this isn't a home décor blog. (And thank goodness, right? It's an area I hope to develop skill in, haha.) This blog is about my "Jesus whispers"; those little quickenings He places in our hearts as we sit and ponder something that we see and think of the spiritual implications.
Now for a moment of truth: I'm almost embarrassed as I read back through past blog posts and realize the deep things God was placing in my heart at that time. I was hearing SO MUCH from Him. After getting married and having kids, those moments slowed. They slowed to the point that I don't remember the last one. You know, it makes my heart grieve more than it does embarrass me at this point. That's why I think God has pulled me in close and tried to speak to me again; and this time I'm making time to listen. It's not easy, and it's certainly not my husband or my children's fault that I've not made time to listen. If I make time to physically feed myself each day, there's not a reason under the sun to not make time to spiritually feed myself. It's been over a year since I blogged and I want to get back to it because I sense the Lord would like me to share the things He puts in my heart to encourage others. So here we go; thanks for reading!
This plant. You see, it caught my eye because I saw how all the leaves had turned and grown, almost unnaturally from the opposite side that many had grown out of. The reason was clear to me: they need light. Without the light, they will not grow. Duh, right? Oh, but let's think about what Jesus has written into His creation with this and the implications for our lives:
Comfort. Man, those leaves look uncomfortable all stretched the opposite direction of where they sprouted! I mean, is it really necessary to turn themselves THAT far, and do they really have to turn their whole selves? Yes. You see, they realize light is their life. Without it, they will die. They will do anything possible to get as much light as possible, even growing in an unnatural direction.Sometimes we find ourselves in a position of sprouting that makes it really hard to pick ourselves up and turn all the way around toward the light. However, it's a matter of life and death not our personal comfort. When it becomes about our personal comfort, it most certainly becomes about death rather than life.
All of our Selves. The leaves turn their ENTIRE leaf toward the light. Can you imagine if half of the leaf was pulling toward the dark and the other half toward the light? Eventually the leaf would rip in half. It would damage it's own self in attempts to turn to opposite directions. I'm reminded of a verse that talks about how man cannot serve two masters for he will love one and despise the other. And another verse; A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand; it will be overthrown. It doesn't work to try and do both; if you do, you only destroy yourself.
The Difference Between Light and Dark. They recognize light as light. Now, this may sound like another "duh" to you. But let's consider: if it was so easy to know the difference why is the road marked as narrow? Why does Jesus bother to warn us against false teachers? Why does He say many will come to Him saying "Lord Lord..." and He will say, "Depart from me you evildoers, I don't know you." If it was so simple I don't think He would have addressed it so much in Scripture. We are told to be sharp on God's truth-to be in His Word. It's critical to be able to know the difference and to be sensitive to the guiding and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine if they got confused and turned their leaves toward total darkness? They would quickly die!
Ability. Even though they look kinda funny and it may not make sense at first glance, they have been wired to seek out light for not only survival, but to flourish. Many plants can get by with lesser light, but it can have devastating effects. They are created to turn toward light, no matter what the situation is they are placed in. We have got to realize we were created to be in the light. We will not live, grow, or flourish as intended without it.
My heart was struck by these simple, yet critical truths on display right in front of my eyes. I never grow tired of all the creative ways God has written His truth into creation. It is truly marvelous, and the work of a Mighty, Sovereign, Holy God. If we choose to just grow in the most natural, easy, comfortable way, we lose. If we try to split up ourselves-our time, our gifts, our love...and turn just a portion of ourselves toward the light, we lose. If we don't know how to recognize light, we lose. If we choose to ignore the fact that we've been given the ability to be in the light, we lose.
And if we lose on this, we die. Not physically, but eternally. Some food for thought.
Now for a moment of truth: I'm almost embarrassed as I read back through past blog posts and realize the deep things God was placing in my heart at that time. I was hearing SO MUCH from Him. After getting married and having kids, those moments slowed. They slowed to the point that I don't remember the last one. You know, it makes my heart grieve more than it does embarrass me at this point. That's why I think God has pulled me in close and tried to speak to me again; and this time I'm making time to listen. It's not easy, and it's certainly not my husband or my children's fault that I've not made time to listen. If I make time to physically feed myself each day, there's not a reason under the sun to not make time to spiritually feed myself. It's been over a year since I blogged and I want to get back to it because I sense the Lord would like me to share the things He puts in my heart to encourage others. So here we go; thanks for reading!
This plant. You see, it caught my eye because I saw how all the leaves had turned and grown, almost unnaturally from the opposite side that many had grown out of. The reason was clear to me: they need light. Without the light, they will not grow. Duh, right? Oh, but let's think about what Jesus has written into His creation with this and the implications for our lives:
Comfort. Man, those leaves look uncomfortable all stretched the opposite direction of where they sprouted! I mean, is it really necessary to turn themselves THAT far, and do they really have to turn their whole selves? Yes. You see, they realize light is their life. Without it, they will die. They will do anything possible to get as much light as possible, even growing in an unnatural direction.Sometimes we find ourselves in a position of sprouting that makes it really hard to pick ourselves up and turn all the way around toward the light. However, it's a matter of life and death not our personal comfort. When it becomes about our personal comfort, it most certainly becomes about death rather than life.
All of our Selves. The leaves turn their ENTIRE leaf toward the light. Can you imagine if half of the leaf was pulling toward the dark and the other half toward the light? Eventually the leaf would rip in half. It would damage it's own self in attempts to turn to opposite directions. I'm reminded of a verse that talks about how man cannot serve two masters for he will love one and despise the other. And another verse; A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand; it will be overthrown. It doesn't work to try and do both; if you do, you only destroy yourself.
The Difference Between Light and Dark. They recognize light as light. Now, this may sound like another "duh" to you. But let's consider: if it was so easy to know the difference why is the road marked as narrow? Why does Jesus bother to warn us against false teachers? Why does He say many will come to Him saying "Lord Lord..." and He will say, "Depart from me you evildoers, I don't know you." If it was so simple I don't think He would have addressed it so much in Scripture. We are told to be sharp on God's truth-to be in His Word. It's critical to be able to know the difference and to be sensitive to the guiding and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine if they got confused and turned their leaves toward total darkness? They would quickly die!
Ability. Even though they look kinda funny and it may not make sense at first glance, they have been wired to seek out light for not only survival, but to flourish. Many plants can get by with lesser light, but it can have devastating effects. They are created to turn toward light, no matter what the situation is they are placed in. We have got to realize we were created to be in the light. We will not live, grow, or flourish as intended without it.
My heart was struck by these simple, yet critical truths on display right in front of my eyes. I never grow tired of all the creative ways God has written His truth into creation. It is truly marvelous, and the work of a Mighty, Sovereign, Holy God. If we choose to just grow in the most natural, easy, comfortable way, we lose. If we try to split up ourselves-our time, our gifts, our love...and turn just a portion of ourselves toward the light, we lose. If we don't know how to recognize light, we lose. If we choose to ignore the fact that we've been given the ability to be in the light, we lose.
And if we lose on this, we die. Not physically, but eternally. Some food for thought.
Blessed, blessed, blessed I am so blessed everytime I read and hear what God has revealed to you. Such simple but so important words to help us walk in the light!
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