I know the Lord uses different things and different ways to speak to people. And I know some would disagree and say that the Lord doesn't "speak" to anyone anymore. These are some of the same people that are deceived. I do not say this with malice or self-righteousness. Only with love.
God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours and we cannot......NO, we MUST NOT confine Him to our finite minds of understanding. If we would let Him be God, He would show Himself mightier than we have ever seen. This is His desire for us.
I thank God for the moments He will nudge my heart and use everyday things to teach me or to show me how great He is. Sometimes He takes me by surprise and before I know it He has given me something to apply to my life or something to help someone else. He is totally dependable like that. Always meeting our needs.
Today was no different. While cleaning my kitchen this afternoon I thought about a small plant I had purchased over 6 years ago. The pot it came in was no larger than 3 inches and the plant itself was about the same. I bought it to sit on my windowsill of my kitchen window to enjoy the sunlight. This has been a great plan up until about a year ago when we started some home improvement projects. Since we have been remodeling I no longer have a view from my kitchen. I have the windowsill and curtain there, but behind that is a wall. I no longer have the wondrous sunshine streaming in. Just a piece of flat board.
My little plant has remained faithful to it's post though and has never demanded attention. In fact, I have been very neglectful of it these past few months failing to water it or watering just enough to get by. Since I don't open the curtains anymore it is easy to forget. In the 6 years that I have had this plant it has remained the same size. It hasn't grown any at all that I can tell. There is nothing wrong with it. Being the type plant it is, it has the potential to grow 6 to 8 feet given the proper care, but yet it still the same size.
I could have a 6 to 8 foot plant if I wanted to by recognizing the growth potential which is a very important first step. Preparation. I would also have to prepare another container....one much larger than the one it is in now, with the proper soil and room for the roots to grow and get established. And I would have to give it the proper water and sunlight needed........DAILY. But I don't want that. I like it just the way it is. Small and alive enough to sit on my windowsill.
Isn't this how some of us are Spiritually? Satisfied. right. where. we. are. We don't want to move closer to God or be moved. We read just enough of the word to get by, if at all. How about time spent in prayer alone with God?
God is aware of our potential. He has all confidence in us to grow into the spiritual vessels He can use for His glory. Are we meeting His expectations? Are we letting ourselves down? I don't know about you, but I want to grow in the Lord. I want to "water" myself in the word. I want the soil of my heart prepared for "root" growth that I may have a deeper understanding of Him and fulfil His purpose and plan for my life. I don't want to stay the same size.
It's entirely up to us how much we grow. We can stay in our comfortable little pots or we can thrive and bring life to those around us. I want to thrive, don't you?
13 comments:
Amen my dear friend, I want to thrive.
I want to thrive, too!
Good teaching, my friend! Very observant and wise of you! *wink*
Awesome post! I REALLY enjoyed it and totally agree with you! God is so good and faithful to keep working in our lives, deepening our understandings & insights, and He blessed you with the these insights and words which have in turn blessed others!
Love you! Marilee
Good observation here.
This is a bit of an aside, but I really think you have a gift for exhortation. I think you could be a devotional writer if you felt so called. Your devotional posts are just as good as those that are published in devotional books. Just something for you to think about...
What a great post. I know that I could use a bigger container so that I can grow. And I certainly need to "water" myself in the word.
That is really cool about the plant. I mean interesting. But I hate it when people intrude my regularly scheduled self involved cocoon with things like truth and wisdom and challenge. Good Night, this is like the tenth blog I read today that talked about stuff like this. What is going on? Are you trying to tell me the Lord might try to get my attention through blogland? Don't you know that growing and change can be scary and painful!
Okay, I am being sarcastic. But bit truthful. (more truthful than I should be, anyway.) Don't give up on me. In fact, you can say a prayer for me. I think I might need it.
You are so right, Debbie. I do want to thrive in Him, I want to be water -- no showered by the gifts He has in store for me. Some days I am still a little timid by His blessings and afraid to drink it all in. But sometimes we just have step out in faith and trust that He can grow us more than we ever would have imagined.
Thank you so much for your wonderful inspirational post.
Blessings to you and yours.
Dear Debbie,
What a wonderful and inspirational post. I want to thrive in the Lord. I love the new color and look. Your blog always looks so lovely any way you have it.
In his endless love,
Angel ():)
I echo the comments! Your words are so true and inspiring. Thanks for your post!!
Love the new look, too. Green is my favorite color!!
Hugs to you,
Lisa
Denise and Sharon, I so want to thrive too!
Beth and Marilee, Thank-you...you are sweet.
Anita, *blushing* I only share what I feel the Lord would have me to. Thank-you, as well.
Melanie, I too, need a larger container. :)
Dapoppins, growing and changes are scary. You are right about that and I seriously prayed for you. The Lord does have His own way of speaking to our hearts. He knows what to use to get our focus back on Him. :)
Iris, you captured another aspect of growth. We HAVE got to have faith and trust in the Lord. He knows what is best for us.
Angel and Lisa, thanks for nice comments about my page. There is so much I would like to do, but I am limited...lol...
There is another one I may try out later. I actually thought of having you guys vote on which one you liked the best! Who knows?
thankyou very much for the prayer. You don't know how much that means to me.
I've heard this from someone else - so God must be speaking it to many.
Sometimes, people think they're this huge tall sunflower when they're really quite stunted.
I don't want to be stunted!! And I agree that somewhere it's a choice...we have to want to grow. we have to want to be pruned. We have to want to realize that we need to grow...
Definitely wanting to thrive.
Bleach - Free Blessings!
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