Flower Where You Are Planted
While waiting to meet a train at the Cobourg station, I looked expectantly [image error]down the tracks and saw, not a train, but a flower. I walked closer. Sure enough, a yellow flower grew right next to one of the steel rails, its roots sinking down into the hard gravel.
During our wait several freight trains thundered by. The flower, inches from destruction, ignored the monsters and just kept lifting its face toward the sun. Where did it find the nourishment and water to endure in such a [image error]sterile environment? Beauty in the midst of barrenness.
What a symbol of perseverance in spite of tribulation and danger!
Most of us live relatively comfortable stress-free lives. Until economic privation, marital difficulties, a frightening diagnosis or a struggle with daily pain rocks our world. Is it possible to thrive and even flourish in dire circumstances?
We admire those who demonstrate spiritual strength in the midst of privation or persecution. I’ve been much impressed by some of the books I’ve been reading lately; the story of a Dutch woman growing up in wartime Holland, a family suffering in occupied France, and the amazing testimony of a couple arrested and held without cause in China. (Two Tears on the Window).
The Bible teaches us that God expects us to thrive in all circumstances; like[image error] Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Peter. Paul exhorts us to “rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope” (Rom. 5:3,4). James takes up the theme, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).
But how is this possible to shine in the midst of trials? “Because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom. 5:5). Built into our salvation is the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit who can provide the spiritual nourishment for us to persevere.
All of Scripture reiterates this theme. God is with us to build iron into our feeble constitutions. Psalm 23 talks of the Shepherd who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus bids his disciples farewell with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always.”
[image error]But it seems so counter-intuitive to thrive in tribulation. And yet all over the world from the Middle East, through Africa, and into the farthest reaches of China, believers are demonstrating faith, hope and love in dire circumstances. Persecuted Christian take to heart the lesson given to the Church in Smyrna. “These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)…do not fear…you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:9,10).
Our culture has led us to believe that we can pass through life without undue pain. Would that it were so. But it is not. Although some of us may [image error]escape physical suffering, no one completely escapes emotional trauma, which in many ways is worse. Lord, you said, “In the world we will have tribulation.” Forgive me for expecting a bed of roses. Forgive me for complaining about my minor trials. Help me rather to flourish like that flower—right now, where I am. And remind me to intercede for persecuted saints.
(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)
