Life Blooms Again: An Object Lesson

Have you had some areas in your life that have just seemed dead lately? I don't mean dry or stale or even tired. Dead. As a doorknob. Maybe it's a dream that you now feel too old to fulfill. (Three words: Sarah and Abraham.) Perhaps it's a relationship that was once vibrant and has now disappeared or been corrupted or spoiled. (Prodigal son.) I don't know about you, but I've certainly experienced that lately. That's why I really appreciated one of God's most recent object lessons, and I thought it might give hope and encouragement to some of you, too.


From my journal, April 27, 2010

Thank you, Lord, for your continued presence in my life even when I am distant and dry and self-absorbed. Thank you that over the past couple of weeks, you've brought the hosta on my front porch back to life.
Lord, I have not missed your symbolism there. That plant was dead. There wasn't a speck of green on it, and the only reason it was still there was because I had not taken the time to dump out the dirt and start over. When it first started to grow again, I thought weeds had taken root in the pot. Within a matter of days the first two leaves sprouted, and now a couple of weeks later, the whole plant has grown back more lush and beautiful than ever. God, thank you for bringing life out of the dirt of our lives—my life. Thank you for constantly creating something out of nothing.

Help me to hear your voice clearly as I go about today. Lord, what would you have me to know today?

(Here's what I heard in my spirit...) I love you with an everlasting love. You are mine and I am yours forever, and nothing —and no one — can snatch you out of my hand. Just as I resurrected that plant, I am resurrecting the places in you that once seemed dead. See it. Know it. Accept it by faith. Your faith has not been in vain. Dance with me today in your spirit on our beach. Dance with me and let me hold you close in joy.


The Lesson

As I write these things, I recall a portion of scripture that God has pointed out to me on more than one occasion: "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (Song of Soloman 2:11–12)

Take heart, dear one. Your redeemer lives. The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He is the resurrection and the life. If there's something in your life that needs fresh life breathed into it, take it to him. He is the one that can make those dry bones live. Out of the dust He created us. Out of the tomb, He called Lazarus back to life...four days dead and stinking. Whatever that dead place is, take it to Him and ask Him to resurrect it, new and better than it was before. Let Him heal it. He loves you, and He came that you might have life and have it to the full! Let Him bring spring where there was once only winter.