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August 20, 2008 In my second career as a residential designer I meet clients with all kinds of different interests. I had a client once that I designed a house for with a special room for his plants! That’s all that he planned on putting in there. The room had plenty of windows, good ventilation and a special faucet for watering his plants. Plants were one of his passions. He
looked around my office one day and noted the absence of plants. Hey, I’m a
preacher and a designer, not a plant guy. “Your office looks barren”, he told
me. “I’m going to bring you one of my plants the next time I come to see you.” Six years later, I still don’t know what the name of the plant is. It’s about 5 feet tall, has large leaves and – so far – has survived my caretaking. I admittedly don’t know what I’m doing… but the plant doesn’t know that I don’t know, so it thrives anyway. It just sits, looks good, is patient if I ignore it and grows, no matter what. This plant wouldn’t win any beauty contests. It’s not gorgeous or beautiful. It’s not ugly, either. Any judge would call it “average” in looks, probably. Ahhh, but it’s sturdy, it’s always green and it just lives, regardless. Doesn’t require a lot of attention and doesn’t seek it, either. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us in the church were like that? Never needy… complaining… seeking attention… always green… smiling… consistent… always there… and determined to thrive, no matter what is going on. There are plants that are much more beautiful than mine. I understand that they’re much more temperamental, too. If they don’t have perfect conditions – the right light, the exact watering, the right temperature – they die. Zap, gone. Beauty is where you find it, though. God isn’t nearly as concerned with our talents, gifts or callings as he is with our faithfulness. When we determine to grow and thrive regardless of our conditions, we bring glory to God. When we refuse to wither or die in the face of temptations, trials or disappointments, we bring glory to God. The hardy, green, growing plants are the backbone and foundation of God’s church. I just want to be faithful. How about you? Gary Collier is pastor at Christ’s Sanctified Holy Church located at 791 White Pond Rd. He welcomes your thoughts at garybcollier@gmail.com or at 854-3003. You may access and share “Gary’s Musings” by going to http://cshcl.com/archived_musings.htm Archived Gary's Musing Click Here |
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