It’s late September and the roses in our backyard are just beginning to fade, but not quite. Earlier this year Ken planted a Double Delight rosebush and, I tell you those blooms are still stunning. Double Delight’s are the roses that start out looking all red… the edges are red… but when they open up, they’ve got this creamy beautiful white center. There is nothing like being able to clip a couple of Double Delight roses and have them on my bathroom counter in the morning. That wonderful scent greets me first thing when I wake up.
But now, fall is upon us and I will miss our roses. When I go outside to enjoy the backyard and its last burst of color for the season, I think of how the Bible describes Jesus as the Rose of Sharon. And you better believe God did that for a purpose. He always does things like that for a purpose. There is something about the way a rose unfurls that the Father had in mind when He thought it would be a perfect description for His Son. Because when our Savior walked on earth, He revealed God's glory just like a beautiful unfurling rose. People were drawn to Jesus not only because He was that fragrant offering to the Father; they marveled every time they caught some new facet, or saw some new each turn, each unfolding of His character, some new aspect of His nature.
In the same way, God desires that you reveal the glory of the Son in ever-increasing measures, because as you do that, you grow. As you trust Him, you change. With every small obedience and every drastic trust in your Lord, you grow from bud to blossom, just like a rose.
Second Corinthians 3:18 puts it this way, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Friend, as you reflect the Lord's glory, you are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory – I love that word ever-increasing; it’s like a flower unfurling. I want people to marvel at Christ’s character in your life... I want them to be drawn to you by the fragrance of Christ’s life... I want you to grow in Him, change, and be transformed, from bud to blossom.
And to help you grow, I’ve got a good idea for you… something you can do that’s kind of fun. If the season is right in your region of the country, clip a rosebud from a backyard bush. If it’s not that time of year for roses where you live, then, hey, splurge and purchase an American Beauty bud from the supermarket or from your florist. Place it in a vase near your desk at the office or kitchen sink. And then, every time you notice a change, when you watch it open up from day to day, as you see it change, take that moment right there to pause and give God glory and thanks for one of Jesus Christ’s amazing and lovely attributes... also take that moment to welcome change and transformation in your own life... and finally, commit to trust and obey the Rose of Sharon, because that’s one sure way to keep growing.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends