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Apple Blossom
Courtesy: FREE Stock Photo
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This morning I fell into musing about the marvels of
nature, of the flowers and blossoms of spring, and the summer-through-fall season
of harvesting fruit.
How beautiful the cheerful, creamy-white apple blossom
on several neighbourhood trees was this spring. Driving down a city street,
elsewhere, I marvelled at several trees clad in rich burgundy cherry blossom.
I mused on how great it would be if the fruit trees
could keep their blossoms all year, instead of appearing for only a short time
then fading so quickly away? Fact is, flowers bloom, then their petals must
fade and fall in order for fruit to develop and bear seed – a process necessary
for ensuring the survival of their kind, as new trees get a start. With that
kind of tree, no matter how much we love seeing and smelling the blossoms, they
must fade and die before the fruit can fully develop and we get to enjoy eating
it!
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Cherry Blossom
Courtesy: FREE Stock pexels
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A seed dies in the process of giving birth to new life. It illustrates the spiritual principle of life coming out of death. That’s the opposite of what we tend to think, in relation to the natural world. Commonly we figure that people are born, they live, and then they die. True enough.
In the realm of spiritual life, however, we are called
to die to our self-life in order to live in the fulness of the life of Jesus
and in the love of God. Jesus had to die on the Cross before He could rise from
the dead to make new life available to those who trust in Him.
People might Ooh and Aah at the glorious
sight of blossoms on trees, but do the trees puff with pride because of the
praise? Of course not.When their flowers fade and fall they lose their glorious
adornment.
Sometimes segments of the Christian community
experience periods during which they garner admiration in the general
community, only to be cast aside when hypocrisy and failure become apparent
with it; the glorious flower and verdant leaves of popularity fade and fall. Bitter
fruit!
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Credit: Google duty-free images
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But wait, the Scriptures teach: “... the fruit of the
[Holy] Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. . . Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. . .” (Galatians 5:22-24).
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| Courtesy: FreeImages.com |
There it is – the principle of spiritual life following spiritual death. The fruit of a life lived in the grace of Jesus
under the sunshine of God’s love produces good and pleasant fruit, regardless
of our age and physical appearance. But, surely God is grieved when bitter
fruit causes people to turn away from faith in Jesus.
Even sour lemons have beneficial uses and are, in
fact, good fruit. A touch of honey can make quite a difference. As an old
Gospel song says: There’s honey in the Rock, my brother [my sister,
too]! Jesus is our Rock.
Pensive Prayer: Dear God, even though the flower of our youth eventually fades, grant that good fruit will continue to form in our lives, as the
divine harvest-gathering time draws ever near! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Peter is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – as he is currently engaged as an associate volunteer pastor. He lives in Southwestern Ontario with his wife, May, and writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column and occasional magazine articles. Peter is author of two books: "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press) and "Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" (Angel Hope Publishing). He and May are also engaged in leading nursing home / residential chapel services, pulpit supply and music. ~+~
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