I am not a gardener, but I like to pretend to be one. Every spring, I get a flat of flowers or a pack of seeds, lay them in some soil, water them faithfully and then...the reality comes. I do not think like a gardener. I do not look after the flowers, making sure they have everything they need. But my intentions are always good! I want the flowers to look nice and give off the appearance that I am lovely and beautiful. I do care about the future of the flowers and plants that I invested in.
Wow! As I looked at the flowers outside today, my heart sank. A pot of petunias that I planted back in April hasn't been taken care of. The flowers are gone. All that remains are brown stalks, searching for help! My relationship with God is so much like this. I start with strong intentions to study His Word, to pray, to get closer to Him and change my stubborn ways. But, things distract me. My heart is prone to wander. Next thing I know, a crisis has hit and I look out the window and notice that my spiritual plant has withered some in the sun and isn't flourishing like it's suppose to. Is there hope? You bet! God is the perfect gardener. He can help us prune off the dead leaves, lay some new soil and make a new start. But, we have to stay connected to the gardener. Our faith cannot flourish on it's own.
Read with me Matthew 15:4 "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me."
Without Him, we cannot sustain our growth. We will wither in the sun without His nourishing waters rushing over us. It's a daily, moment by moment decision and one that will produce good, strong, healthy leaves and fruit.
Where are you at today in your relationship with God? Are you being nourished by Him? Are you trying to sustain yourself, without Him?
I will try and bring my pot of petunias back to life. I believe it's such a good object lesson for me to remember how desperately I need God in my life. I need His help everyday!
Wow! As I looked at the flowers outside today, my heart sank. A pot of petunias that I planted back in April hasn't been taken care of. The flowers are gone. All that remains are brown stalks, searching for help! My relationship with God is so much like this. I start with strong intentions to study His Word, to pray, to get closer to Him and change my stubborn ways. But, things distract me. My heart is prone to wander. Next thing I know, a crisis has hit and I look out the window and notice that my spiritual plant has withered some in the sun and isn't flourishing like it's suppose to. Is there hope? You bet! God is the perfect gardener. He can help us prune off the dead leaves, lay some new soil and make a new start. But, we have to stay connected to the gardener. Our faith cannot flourish on it's own.
Read with me Matthew 15:4 "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me."
Without Him, we cannot sustain our growth. We will wither in the sun without His nourishing waters rushing over us. It's a daily, moment by moment decision and one that will produce good, strong, healthy leaves and fruit.
Where are you at today in your relationship with God? Are you being nourished by Him? Are you trying to sustain yourself, without Him?
I will try and bring my pot of petunias back to life. I believe it's such a good object lesson for me to remember how desperately I need God in my life. I need His help everyday!
