A Whole New World!

Psalm 46:1-2 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (KJV)

World War II has begun to fade into the mist of time. This is the way it should be — with the exception of the good it produced, and the wonderful and seemingly impossible courage it brought out of ordinary men and women and, yes, boys and girls. I still remember vividly a much-talked-about incident which happened in the southern part of England. The authorities approached nursery owners to replace their products with vegetables for the hungry Brits. Normally the nurseries produced exquisite bulbs to beautify the British gardens, and how those Brits loved their gardens! But life was being lived at a different level. To remain alive was the all-important challenge of the day. The nursery owners did as they were requested.

A question arose, though. What to do with the mountains of bulbs which were dug up? They came to the decision to relocate the bulbs in the hedgerows along the many winding country lanes. Quickly, elderly men and women, young boys and girls were recruited to transplant the bulbs. Many of them did not have that special part of the hand known as the "green thumb"! Regardless, without their normal nurturing and special soil, the bulbs not only survived — they grew, they bloomed, and in some instances multiplied! They also gave great pleasure to the austere lives of the people who passed by.

You and I, as Christians, have experienced, or perhaps at this very moment are experiencing, through no fault of our own, a tragic phase in life, and have been transplanted into another world — a world we do not understand, a world which we would not have chosen for ourselves. May we remember the natural example of the bulbs, which, when transplanted into a very different environment, grew, bloomed, and gave colour to their world. May we in the supernatural realm grow, bloom, and add colour to the new world in which we have been placed. Perhaps those who do not know our all-powerful God, but seeing this outward expression of strength, may come to the conclusion that they, too, need this strength in their lives and may seek Him for themselves.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, it is only when we are placed in difficult circumstances in life that we can fully understand today's Bible text. You are indeed a very present help in time of trouble. You are our strength. We need not look at the circumstances but keep resting in Your strength alone. We bring our needs to You this day, in and through the name of Your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.