FLEXIBLE OR INFLEXIBLE?

I always . . . . I never . . . . Maybe it’s time to explore some of these ‘always’ and ‘never’ things in our lives.

Do we just do some things because we’ve always done them that way? Or are we participating in life under the direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit?

Doing things the same way and acting the same way can be symptoms of inflexibility. Doing and being the same can rule out the Holy Spirit’s ability to bring God’s life to your life.

Do you see it? Are there areas of inflexibility in your life which do not allow for the freedom of the Life of God to flow in and through you?

Let’s look at ourselves sto see where we could be more flexible, williing ot have ourselves and our lives arranged and re-arranged by God Himself

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14

Heavenly Father, we human-sheep tend to get in ruts of inflexibility in what we do and who we are. It seems safer there. Please help me to be open to new ways, new attitudes and fresh paths from You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

SERVING CHOICES

Who are you going to serve today? Are you going to serve God . . . Or yourself? Are you going to serve healthy food for your body’s nourishment or are you going to serve food which can cause damage? Are you going to serve 80 hours on your job, or stay within healthier time boundaries? Are you going to serve your family and friends in kindness or in abrupt unkindness? Are you going to serve your boss or supervisor wholeheartedly or only as your duty and obligation.

Who we serve and how we serve tells a great deal about us.

What does your serving tell about you?

Choose this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15

Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve Him day and night within His temple; and He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His Presence. Revelation 7:15

Heavenly Father, please help me put on a servant’s apron and do those things You give me to do. Please help me to do those things wholeheartedly and cheerfully, as I know that by doing so, I am serving You in that way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GREENHOUSE FINERY

In the spring when the greenhouse opened, it was ablaze with color. Everything was healthy looking and blooming to prove it. Geraniums, petunias, galardias, begonias, allysum, pansies. They were all there having a riot of color amongst themselves.

Carefully considering the plants that were known for loving full sun, I chose those for the east side of my home and for those that loved the the shade during the day, I chose for the west side of my home. I loaded my new friends into my vehicle, transporting them safely, unloading them carefully, hoping they would enjoy their new home.

When the danger of frost was past, I planted them in their new containers and waited. To my surprise, it was like they had run out of steam. It was like they had finished blooming and just sat there in all their green leaf finery. There were no more blossoms, no more color, just green leaf finery from July until frost.

How disappointing, I thought. I began to wonder how God looks at my life - did my life blaze in color for one brief season and then quit? Am I only so much green leaf finery now? Or does my life continue to exhibit life, color, blossoming into new life as He gives it?

And on the morrow Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod . . . had sprouts and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.
Numbers 17:8

Heavenly Father, I don't want my life to be just nice leafy show - I want it to count in Life-giving color and blessing to others. But most of all, to be a pleasure Your eyes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BLOOM LOW

Usually daisies grow about knee high and gently sway in the breeze. These, however, were blooming quite low to the ground. Why? Apparently this species of daily adapted to what it had to do to survive and multiply.

How does this apply to our lives? Let's think . . . .

Do we find ourselves in situations in which we must bloom low? Are we taking care of a child or elderly parent who requires constant care - so constant that we must bloom low just to survive it? Or perhaps it is a job which requires long hours and much energy and we find that we must bloom low to get through the busy times. Or it may be just life in general right now which brings us 'low' - we find we are no beauty swaying gently in the breeze but a little wildflower with a tenacious hold, close to the ground - but still in bloom.

Yes, we have been told for years to - Bloom where you are planted. Good advice, and sometimes we must bloom low.

How are you doing with this blooming thing - do you only bloom when the sun shines nicely on your face or can you bloom when you feel that you have been mowed down again and again, unable to change the place where you dwell at present?

Can you say:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

We can be confident and also say:

And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

May we take stock of where we are at this season of our lives - are we popped up with blooms ablaze to the glory of God or are we, at this particular time, to bloom low.

Heavenly Father, please help me bring glory to Your name no matter what the circumstances. In Jesus' name. Amen.