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Red
roses are one of the most popular ornamental flowers that are sold at a
flower store. The color red has special meaning in my life. Red symbolizes
the blood of Christ as He died on the cross for my sins and yours.
It takes
about 6-8 weeks for roses to grow from start to harvest. The bud of the
rose is protected by green sepals that cover the emerging rose. As the rose
swells, the sepals separate and unfold, dropping to the stem and allowing
the rose to show it's beauty. That's like our lives as we mature, the sepals
in our life separate and allows others to see the new creation as we are
in Christ Jesus. Our Saviour is able to do a new work within all of us if
we invite Him in (Ephesians
2:8-10).
When I thought some more, it occurred to me that the story
is like what happens in our lives. We set in our mind to go across
life on our own sail. Suddenly, the winds roar, the water whips up
and we become afraid. Jesus soon comes our way and we might even become
fearful of who He is. We may be afraid of the supernatural and what
He might expect us to do.
Although
roses are beautiful, they have thorns on the stem. It reminds us of the
thorns that Christ had to endure as He suffered for our sins. He was given
a crown of thorns, despised and rejected by man. A man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief (Isaiah
53).
We,
too, have to endure the thorns in our life. Sometimes we are given thorns
that will have to stick with us for the rest of our lives. They may hurt
us and cause much anguish
A rose is a rose is a rose. Not true. They are all different,
just like you and I, we are unique. God has given us many different gifts.
Your gift may be encouraging others; there are many people suffering with
all kinds of thorns in their life. But with all the thorns in our lives,
we should be able to see the head of our lives is the true Rose, blooming
for all His glory. And that's what we should be all about...not showing
off our rose but showing off His true glory? |
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Many
people ask why roses droop in a vase. The best answer is the rose stem
gets plugged up (gummed up) with air, bad omens or hard water. Thus, the
head does not get enough water and droops. They could also droop if it
is too warm out or the humidity is too low. That's like our lives, we
may get gummed up and not be able to see the colors of the rainbow. Perhaps
we are wearied with too much on our shoulders causing us to droop.
Roses like us need rich topsoil to grow in. Seek out
a church or fellowship that offers that, where you can be fed and given
nutrients, where you can be a service to others. Bloom where you are planted!
And above all, roses really need sunshine to have quality. So let the
Son shine in your life so directly that others will see no shadows!
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