I just wanted to share some goodies and rocks of Truth that God has been pouring out on me lately. I am searching for Him on His pages of life-giving breath and He remains faithful to guide me in His Truth. The process is claiming it and living it, but it all starts with the reading.
Watch out now, I'm about to get metaphorical; sorry. Reading His Word is so much like a flower coming into it's own to bask in the warm rays of sun and receive it's nutrients. All flowers start out as seeds, they have been implanted in the Earth by their Maker's Hand. While they are covered in the soil, they are just mere seeds, no one (except the Maker who imbedded them there) even realizes they exist yet. It is through time, pouring out of water, and germinating in the nutrients of the rich soil (all of which the Maker must do because the seed is helpless on it's own, completely inept to help itself and make itself grow) that the seed begins to develop. Roots shoot out from the bottom and find an immovable anchor deep down in the depths, a strong long stem pushes through the top and reaches for the sun that is just beyond the surface of the soil. The seed is in the early stages of development and still needs the unseen hand of the Maker giving it prudent care. The stem continues it's ascent toward the surface, slowly creeping, but with resolved determination and drawing from the strength of continual nourishment from the soil and water. The stem peaks through the surface and gets it's first inhale of refreshing breath and warming rays. It's a little more difficult above the soil. The Maker still provides the water and sun, but now there are other elements involved warring against the stem (for it is still not yet a flower in bloom) and the Maker. There is wind and unpredictable temperature changes, sniffling rodents wanting to claw up the roots, numerous weeds threatening to smolder and choke out the nutrients, and the list goes on and on. But the stem finds strength in it's roots firmly planted below so long ago and the stem finds strength in all that time of being nourished within the rich contents of the soil, and the stem finds strength from it's Maker's hand, who with such poignant care, gives just the right amount of water and sun and air. The stem continues reaching out into the open air and towards the sun, ready to take it's own position among Creation, ready to announce to the world that "I am here and have been all along. You just could not see, because it was not time yet. But I am coming! And when I make my debut, oh what a glorious sight I will be! Not because of anything that I have done, but because My Maker esteemed me in this manner and made me this way. My Maker watched over me, cared for me and nourished me in my helpless estate to strengthen me up to accomplish this purpose. That I may stand among Creation and join in with the masses of beauties and wonders and proclaim as only I can; 'Behold what My Maker can do! Behold who My Maker is! Bear witness to what is in front of your eyes right now because it is HE that you see in me. And behold what living praise and breathing worship is!' " A bud begins to form on the stem and the stem bears the extra weight with the continued strengthening of past and current nourishment. The Maker continues watering and tending to the soil around the budding stem; removing weeds and adding carefully allotted portions of enriched soil where the weeds had stripped the soil of it's fullness. The morning dawns quiet and slow, much like the first day the stem poked through the earth. The budding stem feels a new and fresh wave of strength come over it. What is this new strength? It has a name. What is it? .... EMPOWERMENT! The budding stem releases the beauty within itself, the beauty that had been packaged up within since the first moment the Maker created the seed to be and planted it in the soil. All the contents were within the seed to make itself beautiful and to get itself to this day, but the seed itself could not care for itself and bring itself to this day. From day one, the seed had complete dependence on the Maker. From day one the seed was helpless on its own, but the Maker provided nourishment and strength through time, care, sun, air, rich soil, protective hands. And now, the time had come for Creation to recognize what the Maker had done, what the Maker is doing, and what the Maker will do with small seeds in unseen places. From the budding stem, splashes of color and sheer strength clothed in velvet softness stretched out through the air and patted the once threatening winds. Playful petals danced upon the gentle breezes and smiled into the sun's rays. The budding stem had now become a flower. Oh what a relief to come out in divine beauty and join Creation in the Maker's splendor. What a delight, what a joy, what an awesome privilege and honor! From a small unnoticed seed came roots and a stem, from the stem came a bud and leaves, from the bud came a flower and all in the Maker's timing and all through the Maker's care. An airy shadow falls over the flower as the Maker and flower meet face to face for the first time. The Maker has been able to see this day the whole time, the Maker has been able to watch the seed grow, the Maker has watched over it since it was a mere seed. But it was not until today that the seed-turned-flower was enabled to see it's Maker. The Maker grins at His beauty reflected before Him, touches gently the velvet petals, and brings His nose close to smell the fragrant aroma. "Dare I touch My Maker back?" thinks the flower to itself. The Maker grins more broadly as He feels softness caress His cheeks. Then for the first time, the flower hears the voice of it's Maker; "You have done well My Flower. You have done well. You are My Beauty reflected on the earth and I find delight in you. You have done well."
Wow, Thank you LORD!
