I always find it interesting how often Jesus used nature for
illustrations when teaching: sparrows, lilies, fig trees, birds of the
air, foxes, seeds in the ground dying in order to produce life, and so
on. He loved His creation and used it to reveal so much about Himself.
One of the lessons I enjoy as I walk my acres is that there's a time
and a place for everything. What do I mean? Flowers and trees have
their assignment: some are assigned to grow and bloom in full
sunshine. Some thrive only in the shade. Some can handle partial sun
or partial shade--whichever you prefer to call it. (I wonder if that
reveals anything about your attitude? I prefer "partial shade." Call
me melancholy.) But if you plant a flower in an area it's not designed
for, it doesn't do well. It may even die. In addition, some plants
need a certain type of soil in order to do their best. And some can
take the cold while others are destroyed by the slightest frost. Where
you plant them and when you plant them makes all the difference in the
world.
And plants have their own time frame as well. Crocus, Lenten
roses, hyacinth bloom in early spring followed by the daffodils and
other spring flowers. Iris bloom in early summer. Lilies embrace the
summer heat. Sedum and asters wait until fall. Some flowers, shrubs,
and trees take years to become mature enough to bloom at all. Each
flower and tree has a certain time when it blooms. The obvious
advantage to that is I can enjoy God's beauty all year long. Every walk
is gorgeous.
I think, in a way, the same is true of us. God has designed us to
grow at different "speeds," to excel in certain "environments," to bloom
and bear fruit in the place where He has planted us. I pray that like
the lilies of the valley I will always be content to do that--to grow in
the place He "plants" me and to radiate whatever "beauty" He has seen
fit to give me--to have my walk with Him "gorgeous" every day.
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