Watching Flowers Grow

Hello friend. How about grabbing that cup of coffee. I know, I know it may be late in the day. Way past coffee time, but there’s something about reading with a cup of something hot or cold to drink at hand. 

In case you’re wondering, I am at Starbucks waiting for a friend sipping on a cold brew with vanilla cream. Yummy. 

A couple of months ago, I planted some flowers from seed. A bit unusual for me. Usually, my hubby and I head to the nursery and pick up small containers of plants ready to be planted. Once you prep the soil and do the planting, “viola!” there is instant beauty.  

This time I had to wait. I felt very “pioneerish” watching and waiting for the seeds to sprout. 

Every day I would go out, check on how they were doing and water them. I felt like a parent watching her children grow!! I would don my slippers in the morning, run outside and check on my plants. 

Any blooms? Did they get enough water and sunshine?? Any pests hindering their growth?? 

Why is it taking so long???

Yes, I am a child of the age and would most likely starve to death if my food and sustenance depended on my farming!! 

I got to thinking about what it means to raise children, watch others grow, and patiently wait for my own conformity to Christ. 

Why does it take so long??

I was reminded of the passage in 2 Corinthians 3. Paul is establishing his authority as an apostle of the gospel to the believers in Corinth. He asks, if he needs to bring a resume or some letter of recommendation. Then he skillfully moves from letters written in parchment, to letters written in stone by the finger of God…to something even greater than Moses!!!

What could be greater than the glory of Moses who talked to God face-to-face as a man speaks to a friend? What could be greater than the law of God written on tablets of stone by the very finger of God?

Paul said, there is something greater. 

How about the Law of God written on human hearts by the “finger of God”?

The old covenant was good. It laid the foundation for God’s laws and what pleases Him. It prepared hearts for the grace of God which would later be revealed in Jesus Christ. But laws written on stones could not change hearts. 

Like a teaser for a marvel movie, God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah that something is coming that is far greater. 

Wait, He says, and it will come!!

God promises…“I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33

The Spirit of God that writes on stones will write on hearts!!! The Spirit without, will be the Spirit within…dwelling, empowering, and enabling the saints of God to become like the Son of God from the heart.  The Spirit of God at work within is slowly and patiently transforming us into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to another.

Paul tells the Corinthians; you want a letter of recommendation confirming truth of the gospel we preach? How about taking a look within? 

You are the letter. God has written on your hearts and the work that God is doing in you is being seen and read by all. 

Be patient. This work of transformation takes time but be encouraged. God who has begun the work is continuing the work and He will finish it!!

Can’t wait to bloom!! How about you?