Dandelions for Jesus

It's that time of year again.  Dandelions are making themselves known anywhere and everywhere.  But this stubborn little weed has some interesting qualities that make them worth thinking about.

Roots
The dandelion has a strong, thick root that can reach a length of ten inches.  This root not only keeps the dandelion hardy, it aerates the soil and provides nutrients for surrounding plant life.  In addition, if you break the root, it regenerates, and the broken pieces are capable of creating new plants.
 Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.."

Flowers
You can't miss a dandelion in full bloom.  Its color is dazzling and bright, like sunshine.  It's a sharp contrast to the green of other weeds, and especially stands out in that otherwise well-manicured lawn.  It is sensitive to light, opening itself fully to the sunshine, and closing up as soon as light is withdrawn.  This humble little flower stands out!
 Philippians 2:15 "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.."
I Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Seeds
Each dandelion flower is capable of producing up to 2000 seeds.  The seed is constructed like a parachute, for maximum dispersion by any puff of breeze. Some seeds may travel for miles.  This flower was made for propagation!
 Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Healing Properties
The entire dandelion plant is edible - leaves, flowers, buds, and roots.  It is known for its antioxidants and vitamins.  It is especially good for the liver, kidneys, and gall bladder when eaten.  It can also be used for poultices and rubs, bringing healing to rashes and skin conditions.
 Proverbs 4:20-22 "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

"Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more adverse circumstances that most competitors," says naturalist Steve Brill.  Hmmm... how about we substitute the word "Christian" in the place of "dandelion" in that statement?  I think that's the kind of witness our Lord would like us to be in this world today.

We can be dandelions for Jesus.  Shine through me, Lord!

Obedience and Joy

For most of my 55 years, I thought I had a weight problem.  Lots of us do, right?  But a little over a year ago, God began speaking to me about this issue.  Have you ever argued with God?  I  do, it's definitely a learning and growing process!  At the time of this debate with God, I was overweight and feeling guilty about it, followed by feeling defensive when confronted about it.  So I pointed out to God that there were lots of other people who are heavy who have great ministries and service to Him.  I even named them, so He would be sure to take note.  But God...(there's those words again)!

But God wanted to deal with me, not those others.  And my prayers often include my desire to serve God more deeply and meaningfully.  That means I want to be obedient, right?  Well, as God pointed out to me, I wasn't being obedient in the matter of gluttony.  That's right, the perspective is aligned correctly now.  I don't have a weight problem, never had a weight problem.  I have a gluttony problem.  Puts blame directly where it belongs - on me.

And so I am carving a new path of obedience, with a concentrated effort on being who God wants me to be in the area of eating  This is not about a diet, or about exercise.  It is not about how good I feel.  It is most assuredly not about how I look or fit into those smaller sizes (a real temptation, so I moved the mirror into another room).  Have I struggled?  Oh boy, almost every day.  Is it worth it?  Emphatically yes!!!

In submitting (giving up, admitting another authority over myself), I am finding joy, of a depth I never experienced before.  Why was I so stubborn on this issue? Why did it take so long to apply lessons learned in other areas to this particular aspect of my life?  Why is God so patient with me?  Amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD,  for he has been good to me.

Embracing the Cloud

I recently read a Streams in the Desert devotional that really got me thinking.  The gist of the message was this: The clouds in your life are the best places to meet God.  So I spent some time looking up references to "cloud" in the Bible.  Here's a sampling:

.Exodus 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. 

Exodus 21:21 Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

 1 Kings 8:11  So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Matthew 17: 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

I have quite a few clouds looming overhead right now.  Our grandson is on a transplant list waiting for a liver.  One son is separated from his wife.  Another son is facing a difficult custody battle.  I have several friends who are facing serious medical issues.  Another friend is out of work.  Dark clouds, and lots of them.

 

The Bible tells us that we cannot look at God's glory, in part because it is so radiant.  Remember that Moses' face shone after his time with God on the mountain.  The throne of God is radiant with glory, and surrounded by clouds.  God knows that our human eyes cannot bear the full light of His glory, so He gives us a way to know He is there - through the clouds!

If I just approach the clouds and storms in confidence and faith, I know I will meet God there.  The clouds are not obscuring Him or keeping me from Him.... they are the path to meet Him more intimately.  My God is in the clouds!!

Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

Violets, Part 2

I don't know where all the meanings behind flowers originated.  For example, roses are supposed to symbolize love, and even the colors of roses have significance.  A quick Google search for flower meanings will probably tell you more than you want to know about the attributes that have somehow been assigned to flowers.  And yet, God uses these "mundane" things to touch and teach each of us, personally and intimately.  As I mentioned last week, violets have always been my favorite flower.  Over the course of my teenage years and early adulthood, their qualities came to portray spiritual truths to me.  These little flowers on slender stems are not as fragile as they seem.  They can endure drastic changes in temperature, blooming among both sleet and snow.  Too much heat withers them, but a cool breeze can revive them.  They are tremendous multipliers, sending roots out all around and creating a virtual nest of roots and leaves and blossoms (many gardeners consider them pests).  I'm sure you can see how easily spiritual lessons can be drawn from the characteristics of the humble violet.

But it was later in my life I learned that violets stand for faithfulness.  And this information, I believe, came to me at a point in time that could only be a message from God to me.  You see, I have been unfaithful to God in various degrees all through the course of this journey.  I have done things I knew were wrong.  I have purposely not done things that I knew God wanted me to do.  I have run away, like Jonah.  I have been like a stupid sheep, and and wandered astray.  I find myself worrying or fretting, when I have seen God's hand working and have no need to think so negatively.  In a thousand ways (at least!), I am unfaithful and unworthy.

But God never lets go.  Because I turned to Him and gave Him my life, He now holds me....forever.  And His faithfulness never ends.  So my affection for violets has now become a continual reminder of who I am, and whose I am.  And therefore, they also encourage me to be faithful, as He is faithful.  I am His, a promise renewed every day!

Lamentations 3:21-23
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

No Shrinking Violets!

Violets have always been my favorite flower.  Not African violets, although I like them well enough.  I'm talking about the wildflowers, those shy little purple harbingers of spring that hide in the deadfall of leaves from last year, or that pop up in secluded shady spots. Something about the contrast between that purple and the deep green of the foliage draws my attention and my admiration.

A few years ago, I bought several English violet plants and put them in my garden.  These little flowers look exactly like the wild wood violets, but are blessed with an extra attraction - they have a delicate, sweet aroma.  Earlier this week I picked a nosegay of these, so I could take them to work and enjoy them all day.  I  knew I had a vase in my office, so I just laid the flowers in the cupholder of my car, planning to bring them in to the building with me.  But I forgot about them! When I went to my car after work that day, there lay my little bouquet, all wilted and limp.  Something about the way they looked, though, prompted me to put them in a small bowl of water when I got home.  And thirty minutes later, they looked fresh picked! Amazing, and I got to enjoy them for a little longer.

As I put the revived flowers in a vase, God brought a flood of thoughts to me.  Here's some of what He reminded me of:

*The living water of Jesus Christ is my beauty.

*God never forgets me, or leaves me unattended.  His refreshing presence is always with me.

*These little flowers went without sustenance for what, to them, is a long time.  Sometimes I am without sustenance as well, of my own choosing.  I neglect my Bible reading, or only give it halfhearted attention.  I give shorter and shorter time to prayer, or just go through the motions.  And consequently, I become wilted and limp, without energy or vitality. But just as the flowers were renewed and refreshed by returning to water, God brings new life to me - when I reconnect with Him.

 

*And yet one more lesson.  My flowers have already withered and been tossed away, but the life and restoration God gives me are eternal.  I am of more value to Him!

1 Peter 5:10-11

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Bravery and Commitment

I love reading blogs; I read several every day.  Sometimes I check out the blogs read by the bloggers I'm reading (confused yet?), and find new treasures.  I've considered blogging on my own many times, but basically have chickened out of doing it, using the tried and true excuses:  not enough time, who could possibly be interested in what I have to say, I'm afraid of who will see it and what they will think of me, etc.

But then I find myself wanting to post something on Facebook, and there's not enough room.  Or God does something really neat for me or someone I know, and there just aren't enough people to share the excitement with. And then a dear friend challenges me to put it out there (thanks, Don!).

So here I am.  This is a brave move for me. It requires commitment, something I never take lightly. And I already have a lot of commitments.  But God....never lets me go.  And I am compelled - by gratitude, by love, and by His power - to tell about it!

So - first step, deep breath - - - let this journey begin!

Psalm 40:10
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.