Luke 12:24-29, Matthew 10:29-30, Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Deuteronomy 31:8

Steven Harris considers what is most important in life



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It's the same in our lives. It seems like things are dead and falling apart, but there is always hope, even if we don't see the hope right away.

In the desert and also in the spiritually desert times, there is life just beneath the surface that most of the time we can't see. In deserts there are bugs and all sorts of animals living underneath the surface. When we are in our spiritual deserts, those dry times can be readying us for gifts and abilities that have been lying dormant.

Our disappointments and failures shape us and teach us what is most important in life too. Desert times force us to reach out for the only one that has living water.

It's amazing how God has given us the wisdom of gardening and farming. Think about how neat and beautiful flowers and plants are by themselves, but when we get involved as gardeners, we can make those flowers even more beautiful. We can help fruit and vegetable bearing plants bear more healthy and productive yields of produce.

It's the same if we let Jesus be the gardener of our life, so that he can put in our lives what we need and take out what we don't need. Jesus is the only one that can truly help us get rid of and prune thorns of fear and sin. We need to let the Lord 'nip it in the bud'.

In those times of fear and sin, this is what the Lord says, 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind' 2 Timothy 1:7.

In our times of worry, we need to look at the signs and the things that God has created and put around us; reminders of his awesome authority and power and love.

Let's lean on the great holy expert gardener and vine dresser, Jesus.

I say adieu with this scripture:

'The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.' Deuteronomy 31:8

You can read an interview with Steven about his journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy on the Cross Rhythms website. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.