Toward the Light by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

How are you growing? Do you lean toward the light?

The Florida climate is kind to plants with plenty of sunshine and moisture. Spring is early compared to most places in the United States. Although in the winter, there are areas of Florida that experience freezing temperatures.

Our bougainvillea lost all its leaves and flowers in the cold temperatures. Other plants, even though we covered them, look dreadful. I’m hoping they perk up in the true spring sunshine when the degrees don’t plummet. Thankfully, the rest of our landscape can withstand the freeze.

Spring brings healing to plants. The sunrays spread vitamins and warmth.

I took the above picture of our bougainvillea. Small light green leaves and pale pink flowers are budding. The south side is budding but the north side still looks pathetic. The plant needs to be rotated so it will grow evenly. We planted it in a barrel and set that on rollers. When the freeze warning came, we wheeled it into the lanai out of the direct cold where it got the heat from the house. I covered the trunk and the dirt over the roots with a tarp.

Plants tend to lean toward the sun. Indoors, I grew a spectacular amaryllis that arced toward the sun shining through the window. It grew so well, it needed stakes to hold up the tall stalk and leaves. It was gorgeous in a perky strawberry fuscia. It made me smile.

Plants make wonderful imagery and portrayals of our spiritual lives. They both love and lean toward or grow better on the side of light. The sun acts like a magnet to the growing plants.

Sun.

What about Son?

Those that have a relationship with the Lord experience a fellowship with the Father’s Son, Jesus. The more we read the Bible, pray, and read or listen to devotions and messages, and have fellowship with other followers of the Lord, we grow and blossom.

If we looked at our spiritual life as a plant, how does it look? Are we full and mature? Well shaped? Just starting to grow? Sickly and appearing almost dead? Have sparse blossoms? Are we leaning toward the source of our light, the Son, Lord Jesus?

The more we get into the Word of God the more we will grow. Reading devotions and listening to good messages, waters the soil of our souls.

A healthy plant is green, full on all sides, growing, and sprouting new growth. A healthy soul communicates with the Lord, is joyful, loves others, and spreads goodwill and good works to benefit others. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars in Lebanon. (Psalm 92:12NLT)

We need to be self-inspectors of our soul and the fruit or blossoms we bear. Ask the One who knows—the Father. “Father, thank You for Your Word to enlighten and teach me. Thank You for other believers who sharpen me. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who lives in me and illumines the teaching of Your word and pricks my soul and shows me things in my life that need tending or pruning. Help me to tend to my souls needs and let my love flow out to others. Please show me things I need to confess and dig out of my life. Help me draw closer to you so I grow. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. (1Peter 2:2 NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)