I recently was able to work in my flower garden for the first time this year. I trimmed my rose bush, cleaned out the old foliage from my day lilies and some of my irises, and destroyed the remnants of a stray blackberry plant. I was slightly surprised that weeds were alive and growing as soon as the snow had melted (and before this week's snow storm), and I set to work eradicating my garden of them.
Last year I had my most beautiful flower garden ever, and this year I am hoping to do better; but it takes a lot of work. Quite a few years ago I was not diligent in keeping it weeded, and I grew a world-champion weed garden: humungous dandelions, 6-foot tall weeds, and healthy wild grasses. I didn't have a vision for my garden and so nature took over and its floral aesthetic value declined.
The same thing happens with houses. If someone does not take the time to clean, repair, and upkeep them, they gradually become uninhabitable. In our spiritual lives, we need to deliberately take time to read God's word and spend time with Him, or our relationship with Him will disintegrate.
Nations decline as their people become apathetic, yielding to lives of careless luxury and fruitless pleasures and losing their vision for greatness (as happened with Rome). We have to have a robust, active vision in life. Nature's course for men and for nations leads to degeneration, slow steady decline, and eventual death and destruction.
God has called us to better things. Never lose your vision. Build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. Spend time with Jesus; He is alive and He can show you the paths He has for you. You need the Word of God in your life. God's course leads us higher and higher into the inimitable exaltation of His glory. Serving Him is our ultimate goal, and he must be glorified in all that we do.
Last year I had my most beautiful flower garden ever, and this year I am hoping to do better; but it takes a lot of work. Quite a few years ago I was not diligent in keeping it weeded, and I grew a world-champion weed garden: humungous dandelions, 6-foot tall weeds, and healthy wild grasses. I didn't have a vision for my garden and so nature took over and its floral aesthetic value declined.
The same thing happens with houses. If someone does not take the time to clean, repair, and upkeep them, they gradually become uninhabitable. In our spiritual lives, we need to deliberately take time to read God's word and spend time with Him, or our relationship with Him will disintegrate.
Nations decline as their people become apathetic, yielding to lives of careless luxury and fruitless pleasures and losing their vision for greatness (as happened with Rome). We have to have a robust, active vision in life. Nature's course for men and for nations leads to degeneration, slow steady decline, and eventual death and destruction.
God has called us to better things. Never lose your vision. Build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. Spend time with Jesus; He is alive and He can show you the paths He has for you. You need the Word of God in your life. God's course leads us higher and higher into the inimitable exaltation of His glory. Serving Him is our ultimate goal, and he must be glorified in all that we do.
"Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." --Ecclesiastes 9:10
This is a great post Bethany! Thank you for the encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paige! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message, Bethany! I really enjoyed reading this! You always post great encouragements! =D
ReplyDelete"God has called us to better things."
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent reminder of truth!