The other day I was talking with one of our neighbors. We were remarking how beautiful the desert is when it’s in bloom. He said, “Saguaro’s have the right idea. Their blooms make a wreath around their heads that open in the morning sun because they are pointed toward God”. Or it was something like that.
He said we should always keep our heads pointed toward God. I agreed!
For so many years I tried to make myself be a good Christian. Now, however, I take a bit of a different angle to it. I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. Wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving. But those things were really works of my own making because that’s what I believed good Christians do.
It is our knowledge of Christ that helps us grow, not the good works that we attempt.
“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen” II Peter 3:18 CEV
Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. That’s where the change comes. Not looking at my works to be like Him but instead looking at His works in me.
God’s amazing grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not loose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was, growing in it, my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.
Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.
Like the saguaros, whose blossoms open with the morning sun, sunflowers have their heads bowed but as the sun appears they lift and become strong and tall. They face the sun, soaking in its rays, basking in its warmth, finding strength.
They remind me that each day I should face the Son and let His light change my life.
“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV
“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 CEV
“Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.” Romans 5:10 CEV
It isn’t the work we do that makes us worthy of God’s acceptance and love; it’s His work in us that makes us new and puts us at peace with Him!