It is Wednesday evening and we have come from a lovely church meeting where our pastor shared the most beautiful scripture of Luke chapter 10:1-20. Such boldness and truth in that passage. What a good and all powerful God!!! On the way home I had to stop and pick three of my children up from dance class, and that is where God struck. (I just love it when He takes me by surprise!!!).
For some years now there has been a beautiful yellow rosebush planted just outside the dance studio door. Of course when it was first put in the ground it was quite small and filled just the small corner of the flower bed that met the sidewalk where each dancer walks to their class. As time went on the rosebush grew very much to love the spot where it had been planted. It flourished in the bright sunlight to over 8 feet tall and beautiful long-stemmed yellow roses graced the bush as the dancers walked past. It began to grow a bit unruly and at times had to be tamed or cut back, so to speak! Soon thereafter it would once again fall over the sidewalk and the dancers often times had to push it out of their way as they walked into their classes. Many people complained what a nuisance it was and yet there it grew so gracefully and beautifully and very much a significant part of the studio entrance. It had grown a very thick truck and was fast surpassing its eight feet. I really didn't want to see the rose bush go, but I knew it needed to be drastically pruned. And so with garden shears in hand, I cut it down to the ground. Not long after I noticed very small bits of green leaves on the old brown truck. I thought that bush is fighting to come back. It belongs here. And tonight as I walked past I saw a long stem and a tiny rosebud. I smiled and instantly knew I would be writing about it. Because I was reminded how we are to be like that rosebush. We are planted somewhere by God in good soil and warm sunlight ready to be used by him. People walk past us every day and marvel at our beauty, but do not truly understand the beauty comes from Jesus Christ within us. As time goes by perhaps we are silent to speak His beautiful name, and we become common place to those that pass us by. But within us lies the desire to speak for Him, to speak about Him. We find strength and boldness to rise up and share His message. As we see people coming our branches reach out to them and we at times feel desperate to show them the love of Jesus Christ. But they push us out of the way and keep on walking. I believe there are times when those who hear us get tired of listening and so they cut us down to the ground. Hoping that we will die off, but instead just like the rosebush, we grow stronger and more beautiful! And so I was reminded this evening that no matter what adversity comes, no matter who pushes us out of the way or refuses to listen, I will stand strong for Him! Because my roots are firmly planted and each morning my face will absorb His sunlight as I grow in Him and vow to do the work He had planted me here to do.
Thank you Father that You would desire to use me. May Your power be made perfect in my weakness. Amen
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