"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
As part of my nightly meandering around the yard, I went to check on my vegetable garden. As I knelt down beside the potato patch, I noticed a small patch of green was pushing through the soil.
In order for a seed to become a plant, it needs four things: heat, moisture, light, and oxygen. Any garden (ha - I made a funny) variety science class can teach you that. However, the science class cannot underscore the wonder and significance of it all.
In order for a seed to transform, it needs heat, moisture, light, and oxygen. Essentially, that seed needs to "rot" and split in order for new life to begin. In order to meet its true potential and purpose, it HAS to undergo a change.
Well, it doesn't take a scientist (ha - man, I'm on a roll) to see the significance of the metaphor. A seed's journey resembles the journey that each of us make as we go through life. In many cases, we undergo that journey many times within a lifetime.
Often, the "heat" of life is unpleasant. A life change, an unexpected circumstance, a soured relationship provide the heat for the catalyst to change. Then, moisture enters. Often, that moisture in my life is a steady stream of tears, which are a reaction to the heat. Just about the time that it feels overwhelming, a light breaks. It could be an unexpected phone call or card from a friend, it could be an unexpected benefit, or it could be a realization that had been blocked by self-doubt, narrow-thinking, selfishness, or all three. Once the light breaks, it feels as though I can breathe again. Just as the plant receives and needs life-giving oxygen, a new focus and a realignment of my faith causes a metamorphosis in me.
As I pass through the various stages of heat, moisture, light, and oxygen, I, too, push through the soil of disappointment, disillusionment, and selfishness. Each time I complete the cycle, I move closer to becoming the person whom God intended for me to be (and whom He was planning for me to be when I was truly yet a seed).
As I think about my wee potato bud's journey to topside, I am reminded to rejoice in all aspects of life's journey. While the heat and moisture are unpleasant, they are just as necessary as light and oxygen to complete the growth process. While I can't yet say that I rejoice in the midst of the process, I can say that I appreciate the process. Oddly enough, I can also say that I am thankful for the journey because each completed cycle means I have "pushed through" the circumstances to be one step closer to the full bloom of Godly character.
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