Wednesday, May 8, 2013

A Lesson from Plants


It is Spring again with the testimony of abundant wildflowers and the green, new growth of trees and grass. 

Have you ever considered life from a plant's 'perspective'?  I know it sounds silly and maybe even political as an environmental point of debate.  I do believe in being eco-friendly as this is our only place to live.  But my point is trying to view life as a plant, (i.e. flower, weed, bush, tree, etc.), might see it.  We are familiar with the phrase "bloom where you are planted."  That could mean your family, job and/or community.  But from a human perspective we might change our circumstances by 'moving'.  We can leave families, jobs and communities.  A plant MUST 'bloom' or thrive where it is rooted.  It is immobile.  A tree cannot run away from predatory insects, change location because of drought, seek shelter from wind, hail or storm, or even evacuate because of a raging fire.  A plant MUST adapt, endure and thrive in a permanent location.  The amazing thing is...they do!  We have all seen trees scarred by woodpeckers, fires, human graffiti, storms, etc..  We've seen their contorted trunks or limbs as they search for sunlight.  We should be impressed that the results of their determination and endurance are displayed every Spring. 

We could learn something of true faith and trust from plants.  Jesus said "why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies fo the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  If God so clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you?"  Jeremiah said "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.  And whose trust is the Lord.  For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream.  And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." 

Maybe we should try to view life, with all the droughts, storms and fires, from a plant's perspective and trust in God.

Have you ever considered how many times Jesus used seeds, grass, plants, trees, etc. in His stories?  A thought to be considered another time.--

Doug Burns
Stephenville, Texas

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