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)
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