Blooming

Dry, hot weather has ruled this summer where I live. Scorching days that caused the flowers to wilt and some to die.

While I tried to keep them watered, there were periods of time when this wasn’t possible. I would leave home saying good by to a garden of robust blooming plants and return home to plants stressed by the heat. Blooms were forgotten.

The plants survived, but I noticed a pattern.

When I was able to water regularly, the plants flourished and bloomed. When the watering was sporadic, the first thing lost was the blooms.

Water – blooms. No water – no blooms.

I think there may be a lesson for me there.

When I go for periods of time without spending time with God, it affects my ability to bloom. I am still His child, but I am not very beautiful.

The watering that comes from church attendance, though it helps and is important, is not enough to keep me blooming. I need the daily refreshing water from God’s Word to fill my soul. Only then can His Spirit bear His fruit in me. Only then do I bloom.

Blooming isn’t something that I can force; it comes from God’s work in my heart and life. So, if I am not blooming, not displaying the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, I better check my water supply. Am I allowing God to water my heart by spending time with Him?

In the scorching trials of these days, I’m afraid that many Christians are surviving without blooming because of a spiritual drought. How easy to get caught there.

The solution, too, is easy.  Spend time with the Living Water. Drink from His fountain.

 Blooms will come!

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Psalm 36:9 For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.

Photo – Speckled Petunia, Leslie Moon