Purple trees hold a
special place in my life. They are God’s voice of hope to me. In southern
California these Jacaranda Trees only bloom once a year in May. Today, they are
everywhere I look and I love it!! God is
so good.
Last
week I was driving down a street in a nearby neighborhood and snapped this
photo. I was struck by the flood of
purple in the branches arching over the street like a royal welcome to me. As I
studied the picture later, recalling the warm love of God I felt in that
moment, I was drawn to the pedals on the street creating a purple carpet. Beautiful
too. Then God asked me, “Are you creating this same evidence in this world?” Hmmm… good question.
“Do I leave behind beautiful evidence of God’s
work in my life or a mess?
Although
we can’t control the memories that people have of us, we can control what we
give them to remember. These trees do leave a beautiful vision and carpet of
purple but the pedals also stain sidewalks, are hard to rake off of grass, and
stick to cars when wet. Basically, kind
of a mess. We are the same. We will leave
a mark in people’s lives. Will that mark be a memory that points them to God or
will they remember the mess we made? I can think of both marks I’ve created in
my life.
The
Bible reminds us to share Jesus with those around us. We may be the only contact with Jesus they
ever get. How is that for
responsibility!! In Romans 10:12-15 it
reads, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is
Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, everyone who calls on
the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then,
can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in
the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
Jesus, in His last
instructions to His disciples, reminded them to go and make disciples. (Matthew
28:19). This is an instruction for us as well.
To learn the best way to do this, as always, I like to go back and see what
Jesus did. In his travels, he spent time with people. He let his reputation
speak for him many times. Sometimes He preached to crowds. But every time - He
let the Holy Spirit lead Him and create the opportunity for sharing God’s love
and truth.
Today,
we are the hands and feet of God in this world.
“You
are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people of His own that you may proclaim
the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light.” 1 Peter 2:9
We
are to proclaim His excellencies. God is faithful to show Himself worthy of
Glory and Honor. He doesn’t ask us to be perfect before sharing, just willing. We read about this in 2nd Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, beholding
the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into his likeness from one degree
of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Paul
the Apostle, in his letter to the Colossians chapter 1, recounts why he
preaches the Gospel. It is his dedication as a servant and his answers to God’s
work in his life and God’s calling on his life.
We too have been given, each in different ways, this same call to
servanthood. Paul also reminds us that we are always growing. Every year my purple trees grow taller and
bigger and produce more flowers in their blooming season. In other seasons they
provide only shade and seeds for the birds. We too
have seasons with various periods of growth and usefulness. Our testimony will
change from season to season as God continues His work in us and we continue to
grow in our faith.
As
time goes on, we will be given chance encounters with people and opportunities to
share Jesus with those we already know. For each encounter we should remember to
be like the beautiful carpet of purple instead of a mess to be cleaned up because,
in the end, we are the evidence of God.
 |
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How beautiful are the feet
of those
who bring good news!
Romans
10:15
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"You are My Servant,
in whom I will show My
glory."
Isaiah 49:3
Our Prayer Lord, I thank you for the
evidence of you in my life. Help me to
be a good vessel that shows your love to others and brings glory to you. Forgive
me for the times I just made a mess of things and left behind a poor mark. I
love you and am I willing to take on the honor and responsibility of being your
royal priesthood. Prepare before me the
way I should go. I declare today to be your
hands and your feet to the world. I want them to see Jesus in me.
Click here to see a music video of encouragement
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