Nancy Taylor Tate
“The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him” (Lamentations 3:24).
What a beautiful time of year! Spring speaks of new beginnings – a time when we especially celebrate the resurrection life and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and our new life in Him.
This spring we’ve had a lot of rain. Now an abundance of cherry blossoms flourish on our tree and line the streets of our town. The dogwoods appear mostly dormant still, yet tiny buds are beginning to appear. Crepe myrtles are not even budding yet! Still totally dormant, they make up for their late arrival by blooming long into the summer, after the spring blossoms are gone.
Note that each tree is beautiful! Each tree is growing as God designed it, blooming in its own season. In their own time and with their own color, their branches work together to display the majestic beauty of God’s creation. Birds come and nest in their branches, bringing forth their young as their songs fill the air. The glory of their Maker can be seen and heard as each one is faithful, content to be the tree God designed them to be, in the place where they are planted.
Early bloomers, late bloomers, all colors of blossoms…all are created by God! Some of us may feel dormant still, as we watch others who are already beginning to bloom. Or we might be ones who feel the birth pangs of tiny buds just starting to appear. Or maybe we are ones in bloom, who say, “Oh no! The wind is blowing off some of my petals!”
Regardless of what stage we are in, we are those who would follow on to know the Lord. In the full spectrum of God’s plan, each one has a part. Each one’s season will surely come, and in God’s perfect time, His purpose will be fulfilled as we continue on to follow after the Lord. Each one of us is needed in the very time God has us, to complete His full purpose and plan.
Whatever tree God has created us to be, may we be content and the best we can be for His glory! May we trust Him in the seasons of our lives, for the Lord is our portion! His mercies are new every morning! Great, great is His faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:23-26).
Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, even as Christ showed forth the glory of the Father, may we too show forth His glory as an end-time people appointed to be carriers of His presence, ordained to be faithful witnesses unto Him in the time we live. May the fragrance of His presence touch others through us, as He also works in us. May others come and find fellowship, strength, and encouragement in the branches of our lives and walk with the Lord.
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1-2).
“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him” (Lamentations 3:25).