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Listen while you read: "Near To The Heart Of God"1 (Lyrics) |
Romans 2:6-8 – God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (NIV)
As gardening season is upon us, I am once again amazed at the tenacity of the weeds. In northern Canada, growing things can be quite a chore due to the short season, poor soil, and chilly nights and mornings, as well as scorching, sunny afternoons. Yet, the weeds flourish with abundance, popping up in the least likely places, as well as making themselves at home right under my nose in the midst of my front garden and hanging on with persistence, whether beset by cold or searing heat. Their bright little heads, blooming with cheerful colour, seem to mock the difficulties surrounding them, as they come up here and there to grow and multiply with abandonment. Ah, well! What can I say, other than, perhaps, as in all things God has created, there is a lesson to be learned: the lesson of persistence.
Much like weeds, God desires His people to be persistent in doing good for His kingdom, here, there, and everywhere, with a spirit of abandonment as we trust in the guidance and power of His Holy Spirit, to lead, guide, teach, and empower us day by day. He calls us to bloom with cheery hope amidst trials and troubles, for they are good for us, producing perseverance, character, hope, and love within us. He beckons us to seek out and do good to those who cannot repay or return the blessings we grant unto them. We are called to sprout forgiveness amidst injustice, unkindness, and foul play, and to turn the other cheek whenever taking offense seeks to spring up so quickly within us. Amidst all of these challenges, He encourages us to rejoice in Him always, for as Christians, we are planted in the good soil of His love, goodness, and faithfulness, where an abundance of harvest is bound to spring up and blossom forth as we persistently have faith to not weary of doing good.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the lesson of persistence that we can learn from the weeds. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit may our hearts become ever more persistent in their endeavours to do good, blossoming with love and kindness wherever You have chosen to plant us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Great encouragement, Lynne.
Absolutely Excellent Lynne! Thank you.
Thank you. Will remember this and smile now when I see those dandelions.
Eloquent and deeply rooted in Christian faith! Beautiful devotional thoughts.
Again, Lynn thanks, I always look forward for your devotions, they are very good.
Blessings.
My Dad always said that sins were like weeds, and you have to get them when they are small. Great devotional.
It’s not always easy to bloom where we’re planted but we can do all things by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Blessings.
Good one. How I enjoy those first bright dandelion flowers that little ones gather so gleefully for the kitchen table! And the plants are persistent! Thanks.
Hi Lynn
Good devotional as usual, The “weeds” of the the world around us do try to crowd out our faith in Christ but with His help we do grow under whatever conditions.
Thank you for writing.
Lynne as soon as I started to read this I knew it was from you, the only person I know who would find spiritual content in a weed.
I had a big weed in my life garden today and it was pulled up.
Praise God!
Hello Lynne!
I want to thank you for your devotionals. Whenever I read about your animals and life in northern BC, before even seeing your name, I know it is one of your devotionals. Since I have moved back to Ontario after more than twenty years in BC, I look forward to reading something about “back home “. God inspired me to write to you today.
Good morning, Lynn Phipps,
Today’s devotional was a lovely way to begin my day.
I would like share this in my church newsletter. We have many gardeners in our church family, and I think they would enjoy your “persistent weed” analogy.
Blessings.
Yes! our Island has its share of weeds also! Trying to keep our lawns weed-free and green is a challenge each year. Keeping the veggie garden weed-free is almost impossible, and even then, the animals seem to feel that it’s quite permissible to help themselves to the crops.
As you say, it is indeed a lesson in persistence.
We are almost snow free, and are now into the cold rains of spring, but we are still hopeful that summer is not too far away.
The same is true for our little church, as we hope our “winter attendance will soon enlarge to better numbers.
Blessings.
Thanks Lynne for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
Hi Lynne
Thanks this was good, will bring to mind when I am weeding once the weather warms up. so very true! Enjoyed it, thanks again
God Bless.
Great devotional, thank you.
Dear Lynne,
Thanks again for a thoughtful devotional.