May 19, 2006

I walked by one of my phalaenopsis orchids yesterday and noticed that every single bloom had withered. The good news is that I took it out the door with me and used it for an object lesson for school worship. The bad news is that the drooping flowers signaled problems. I immediately added some water. But when I got to school and lifted the plant out of its decorative pot, I discovered it had been sitting in water all week.

Roots were beginning to rot – a common problem with orchids. So when I got home, I repotted the orchid, trimming out the sick roots in the process. There’s still a developing flower spike on the plant and I believe I’ll be able to enjoy in in a month.

All of this took me to Psalm 1. In that Psalm David draws life lessons from plants that don’t wither. Now in his case, his plant is a tree and it thrived by growing where it has enough water. My plant was an orchid and it would have done better with much less water.

But what impressed me from David’s tree was the hope and promise that I can position myself where circumstances will not take over my life. David’s picture is of a lush tree in the scorching sun – that stays lush in the scorching sun because of where it’s growing. Last week I had begun to let my outside world control my inner peace. (and for those who have asked if I were OK, yes I am. Most of last Friday was a series of software frustrations with my computer – which eventually resolved themselves)

Christians don’t live in bubbles. At least I don’t think we should. In fact Christians should be immersed in the world probably more than anyone. However we should also be immersed in the WORD, or the world with do us in. We will quickly wilt and wither.

It seems that this illustration of David’s teaches that I am protected not so much by the stress that I avoid, but by where I go for refreshment. I must be refreshed or I’ll wither. So read good books, find a good friend, lift your voice in worship. Feed your devotional life and it will feed you.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve