Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God. We are as strong as our ties to our Lord. “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NKJV)
Psalm 1:3 (NKJV) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
God will provide all of the strength we need for any given circumstances that will come up in our lifetime.
He is the anchor that propels us to go forward. He will never forsake us or turn away from us. He is our rock and salvation.
We, as Christians sometimes feel we are not doing enough. Or, that we are not in a position to do anything for others. There are countless reasons some feel as if they are not doing enough. Some of the excuses I’ve heard consist of, “I’m not able to get out, I’m busy.” Or, “I don’t belong to a church, so I can’t do anything.” Or, “I cannot organize anything to help others.”
While all of the above reasons may be valid, they really don’t mean anything in terms of being a Christian. Take the first one –I’m not able to get out, I’m busy. Well not everyone has a huge block of time. But, there is always time for a kind word for someone. Or for a seed to be planted along your busy road. Sometimes that is ALL that is needed to be productive in terms of being a Christian. God sees your heart and intent, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Okay, now the second one- I don’t belong to a church, so I can’t do anything. No excuse. We are all ONE in the church of Jesus Christ. The true church. And, we can do something. We can offer help to someone that is lost. We can lend an ear to someone who needs to vent. We can offer advice to someone who doesn’t understand how to climb out of the situation they are currently in. Again, God sees your heart and intent, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. “…but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:18 (NKJV)
And the third – I cannot organize anything to help others. How about the person on your block who needs help moving? Or the elderly woman who needs someone to do her grocery shopping? Or, the recently widowed individual who is overwhelmed with anxiety and grief – He/she may need an uplifting word, and encouragement. This is the strongest foundation of being a Christian and good neighbor or friend. Helping others, we help and clothe and feed Jesus. “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…” Matthew 25:35 (NKJV)
“…Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)
The Lord brings you to where you are, and there you shall be. If he plants you somewhere, He will expect you to bloom in place. Sometimes, I see a beautiful flower among the weeds. Or a single flower coming out of a cracked pavement in the middle of a busy road. Or a couple of flowers coming through a fence. The Lord in His infinite wisdom and power and love brings it there for a reason. He set it there to bloom! Just like us. If He wants and of us to bloom…we will bloom.
The nourishment is the Word of God. The fertile ground in which we plant our seeds will either bring forth the fruits…or it will be choked.
God is astoundingly fair, and so loving. He provides so many opportunities for us every single day. When we wake up and give thanks for another day to the Lord…it is another opportunity to go forward and help others bloom.
Your heart is an open book to the Lord our God. He sees all, and He will provide the foundation upon which we will build our relationships with others. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 (NKJV)
God will bring you comfort, provide all that you need…and He will guard you heart. “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:7 (NKJV).
The next time WE all think or say, what can I possibly do from here? Let’s not forget that if God plants you somewhere, THERE YOU SHALL BLOOM.
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in men, these do and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (NKJV)
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 4:15 (NKJV)
The first two pictures courtesy of Scott Birge – Friend & Photographer~
The last picture – unknown photographer~