VL - Issue 43- April 22

STEPPING FORWARD
DON’T GIVE UP!
BY VENNESA VIEKE
A FRIEND OF MINE, A GARDENING EXPERT, gave me an amaryllis
flower for Christmas in 2019. He gave me very little instruction
with it. “Put it outside and leave it be,” he said.
So I did. I placed it on the ground next to a tree and just let it
be. As the season changed, the one, bright red flower on the plant
began to die. Soon, that beautiful flower was gone, and only one
large, long, green leaf remained.
As the year went on, I continued to look out my window at
the plant and wonder if it would ever bloom again. I waited and
waited. So many times, I almost gave up and threw it in the trash.
I could always replace it with another one, I thought.
But for some reason, I couldn’t do it. Something told me to just
leave it alone and be patient. Perhaps it would grow again. I had
faith, but it was as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).
And then it happened. Almost a year after the first flower died,
I looked out the window and saw a speckle of red. To my excitement,
I found a red flower in bloom.
Days later, another bloom appeared, and a week after that,
another one. Right before my eyes, three stunning red flowers
flourished. And then, I saw another bud forming. I was about to
have four flowers on that once barren plant.
Intrigued, I examined the plant and saw that the bulb had
burrowed its way into the ground and established its own root
system. That system was well designed, and it provided all the
nutrients the plant needed to grow, thrive, and bloom.
What I witnessed in that flower felt so symbolic and spiritual to
me. Through it, God revealed many things. First, He reminded me
that His timing is not my own. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there’s
a season for everything under the sun, and God knows the right
time for everything in my life to bloom.
Second, I understood better that God’s version of
patience is not mine. For a year, I had waited impatiently
for evidence of the flower’s viability. When
there was none, I assumed its usefulness was gone.
But I was wrong. God was at work bringing about a
beautiful bloom, just like He is at work behind the
scenes in my life bringing about exactly what I need,
when I need it. I simply need to have faith and wait
for Him to bring about the evidence (Psalm 5:3;
Romans 8:25).
Next, I learned that God is a multiplier of what is
good. When I was given the plant, it had one small
flower. But as the plant matured, four blossoms
emerged. It exceeded my expectations. Likewise, God
can multiply the good things I have planted in my life
and far exceed my wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20).
Where there was once a hint of beauty, there can be a
grand display.
GOD KNOWS THE RIGHT
TIME FOR EVERYTHING IN
MY LIFE TO BLOOM.
I also learned that growth and prosperity come
from a well-nourished root system. The Lord reminded
me that Jesus is the Living Water and the
Bread of Life. As I nourish my soul with His Word and
root myself in His love and truth, I will have the nourishment
I need to thrive in every season and produce
His fruit in my life (Ephesians 3:16–19).
Finally, I learned that visible beauty is a natural
result of this well-nourished root system. That flower
didn’t have to think about blooming, and, if I am
rooted in Christ and abide in Him, neither do I. The
Holy Spirit will bring about fruit naturally that can
impact the world (John 15:1–8).
Do you feel like your fruitful days are over? Have
you given up on a relationship, idea, dream, or
career? Remember, God’s timing is not yours. He is
at work, even now, bringing about results in your life
with the good, God-things you have planted. All you
have to do is stay rooted in His love and have faith.
In His perfect timing, He will bring about much
fruit—a display of beauty that impacts the world.
VENNESA VIEKE is a devoted daughter of Christ, wife, and mother of two. She is
a professional water skier in South Florida where she trains and uses her degree in
physical therapy to teach Pilates. Vennesa is passionate about health and wellness;
she loves to cook and create fun recipes and tell about the goodness of God.
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