I love flowers! Out of the multitudes of things God created, they are one of my favorites. By the end of winter my eyes are so thirsty forblooms, my soul jumps for joy when the dandelions pop open. Visiting a friend in North Carolina, I was enthralled with the bright purple wisteria hanging from tree after tree along the road.
THE KILLER PLANT
As I admired the blooms, my friend informed me that wisteria is invasive and destructive. It eventually kills the trees from which it hangs. How can something so beautiful bring death and destruction? Wisteria growing in the wild chokes the life out of any plants they encounter.
WHEN BEAUTY GROWS DARK
I pondered what beautiful things grow wild in my life. I have received wonderful presents from God: relationships, money, time, jobs, home, hobbies, clothes, food, and rest. If I use his gifts within the boundaries God sets, they honor and glorify him and make life more beautiful for me and others. Growing wild outside of God’s boundaries with careful attention, devastation occurs. I have a choice to use them as God intended. Otherwise, the gifts can choke the life out of me and wreckage spreads through my life and those around me.
For example, what about God’s gifts of food and taste buds? It is easy for me to let them go wild and push aside healthy eating. Over time, this causes destruction of my health which then affects my family and ability to serve God daily. Another gift I need to tend carefully is time. When I get to the end of a day I reflect, “What have I done today that will matter in 100 years?” Spending my time on insignificant things can easily disrupt God’s plan and produce an empty harvest.
HOW TO USE GOD’S GIFTS
Which of God’s gifts grow wild and run out of bounds in your life? Ask God for wisdom and insight about how you are using his gifts. What specific boundaries is God asking you to put in place as you use His gifts so that you bring him honor and glory? Ask Him. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:5) The central key for a believer is whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).
God does not leave you alone in this battle. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). His gifts can yield great beauty if used as He intended them, contained in His garden.