I recently saw three masterpieces of creation that I found quite unique and similar in appearance. They reminded me of my life; maybe you will be able to relate.
This picture is from when I was roaming around a botanical garden while in North Carolina on a trip. I enjoyed wandering around and seeing God’s beautiful creation with the three waterfall areas and plethora of plants, shrubs, and flowers.
While at a retreat, I saw this tree whose beauty caught my attention.
I noticed this third tree while in the process of finalizing this reflection that served as confirmation for me.
I feel like the plants are symbolic of three things that apply to our lives; what I personally feel about my life.
*They have strong foundations as their base.
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. –Ephesians 2:19-21 (NLT)
The foundation of our faith is based first on the cornerstone of Christ Jesus Himself, who came from God the Father. The building of faith continued when Jesus appointed apostles and prophets to proclaim the good news of salvation. As descendants of them, we, you and I, are members of God’s family being linked to Jesus, the cornerstone. Our bodies become holy temples of the Lord.
*Beauty grows from strong foundations.
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. –Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
As we stay rooted deeply in Jesus who is our strong foundation, our lives will grow more and more in producing His beauty. We recall the truth Jesus shared in word and deed to help our faith grow stronger. It creates more beauty as we are filled with gratitude for all Jesus does for us that we can share with those we encounter.
*From the center come the tall branches, which stand strong among all the beauty.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. –1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)
We can stand proud and firm in our faith, living courageously and strong in the Lord. Often times, we may feel different from the world because of our resolve to do everything in love, trying to share the love we experience from God. We get to be beacons of light standing tall in this world as we share the bounty of goodness we have been shown.
This Scripture is my prayer and encouragement for you. May you stand tall being the majestic cedar that God made~
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!” –Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NLT)
A landmark lone tree at Mount Arbel in the Holy Land.
Be encouraged this week to…
…stay deeply rooted in the foundation of Christ Jesus.
…rejoice in the beauty of growth in you because of Jesus.
…stand tall and firm in your faith, sharing His love.
REFLECTION:
What is one way you can deepen your foundation in Christ?
How can you stand more firmly in your faith?
Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” –Acts 4:11-12 (NIV)
