This image is a result of obedience and trust in Christ. It was extremely challenging yet very
rewarding. It was very painful yet very life changing. It serves as a reminder and a promise all in one.
Growing IS hard. Trusting IS hard. Obedience IS hard... but when we are allowing our growth to be made by The One who knew us before we even were and when we are placing our trust in Him - Maker of Heaven & of Earth - then incredible beauty emerges out from our times of hardships.
In everything there's a beginning...the seed. Christ may require you to stretch beyond your level of comfort and step outside your realm of feeling safe and comfortable. This looks different for everybody. But He does call us to go, to love, to be His hands and feet...all in His Name. For me, He called me to a missions trip this past July to Fiji. What an experience that was. Two weeks away from my family, traveling with people I didn't know on a medical missions sharing the love of Jesus. My thought was, 'How bad can it be? It's in Fiji!' Let me tell you, there is a side of Fiji that is not on Google. I know because I Googled Fiji and the Fiji I experienced was not what was shown to me! Clinics were held in several village's and I began doubting myself on what I was really doing there. How am I doing what Christ asked of me? This is so hard. Seeing such economically poor people living in what we would consider trashy lean-to's. Yet they were filled with such genuine JOY! Story after story that was shared in broken English broke my heart yet at the same time warmed it seeing their joyfulness and glee for life, always praising God giving Him glory and thanksgiving despite their circumstance. I could do nothing to help their circumstances but pray for them. That's when it was spoken to me how life is intensely hard yet God turns it incredibly beautiful. That stuck with me. It's so true. Life is. We get to choose how we respond. God wastes nothing and uses it for His good. After that spoken phrase, that's where this image came into play. It really was a gift given by God. An illustration He displayed for tired, simple minded Christy to be able to completely understand at the time.
The seed gets planted in hearts through obedience when you respond...you go...you do what's been asked of you by Christ. That seed will be watered as you continue to be obedient in serving and answering Christ's calling. The seed will soon begin to sprout and grow. This is not always an easy or comfortable process, but it is very necessary for continued growth. Ephesians 4:15-16 says, " We are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
As you persevere through enduring the spurts of growth tredging on through life, Christ has been doing beautiful things, never ceasing. The sprout is maturing and becoming tall, extending its branches out wide and upward, roots digging deeper grasping hold of the richly saturated soil, leaves beginning to appear in rich bold color that captivate & radiate all that the sun (SON) has filled them with in that day. Fruit appears so plump and lush that it is shared nourishing others that are in the presence of that tree. John 15:16 says, "...you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go bear fruit and that your fruit should abide." John 15:4, "Abide in Me, and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." Christ is enabling you to bless others as He blesses you. Give God all the honor, all the praise and all the glory!
This tree represents you and I. As believers it is necessary for us to always be growing in Christ. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." 2 Peter 3:18. Growing is never easy and sometimes not pleasant, but we never have to go it alone. Christ is with us at all times. Even when times get extremely tough and we loose some leaves or even some branches. Job14:7-9 ESV encourages us, "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its roots grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant." Christ gives us hope. Christ is our hope. We serve a gracious and loving God who is always with us giving us just what we need just when we need it.
Life is Intensely Hard yet Incredibly Beautiful when you surrender - give it up or agree to forego to the power or possession of another - to God!
This illustration was so imprinted on my heart that I had it tattooed on my foot. One, as a reminder to me so when I find myself pouting as any pouting child does looking down, I will see it and be reminded of the work Christ is doing in me as well as through me. Quickly removing myself out of the pout if I would just be trusting of His Will for my life. Two, it's been an absolute wonderful way to share the love of Jesus with random people and complete strangers! It's a great conversation starter, for sure.
Take care and be blessed.
Christy Krezman
May1, 2013
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