Water Lessons: part one, the chrysanthemum

Last week when I was watering my mums I thought about you. I walked in the house from running an errand. As I did, I saw that the mums desperately needed water. See how in the picture to the top left, the leaves are droopy and starting to wither? Well, when I watered them they perked back up and looked alive again like in the bottom. Now I have walked past my flowers in the same condition many times, but this time, the Lord really drew them to my attention.

So Water Lessons: part one, the chrysanthemum.

Water lessons from the Chrysanthemum

1. The plant has to receive nourishing water from the roots which changes the outward appearance of the plant. The transformation occurs because it is rooted in a good place and the roots take the water.

Our souls have to remain rooted in the love and have to drink in the life-giving water of the Word. When we do, our appearance is changed from the inside out.

2. If the plant became droopy, all it needed in the beginning was more water. But if I continued not to give it water, it would eventually dry out and begin to really wither. Ultimately, the soil would have to be soaked in water and the plant pruned thoroughly in order for it to be revived, and it could reach a point of no return as well.

When we go through a dry patch in our soul and start to grow weary, we have to ask ourselves, did we move? Did we root ourselves in something other than His love? Are we staying in the word? If the answer is yes, then we have to patiently wait on the Lord, the Gardener, to send the rain. And when He rescues us at just the right moment, we will have to endure pruning and cutting off the dead in us so that we can thrive again.

3. I could place water on the flower, but unless it reaches the roots nothing will change. I could speak to the plant and tell it to stop drooping, but it will not until it is given what it needs.

Life giving change does not happen from the outside. It happens on the inside in the secret place. The heart has to know and understand love to be able to receive nourishment from the Word.

4. The plant just receives. It is dependent on God each and every day to survive. In the words of my children and my husband and me, “it gets what it gets and it doesn’t pitch a fit.”

We need to trust God to provide our daily needs, and when we are thirsty, we need to cry out to Him to provide and quench the thirst.

 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:16-17

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:1-8

Prayer Time:

Father, I thank you for being a loving and good Father who shepherds His children well and takes care of us more than we’ve begun to fathom. Help us to remain rooted in the love you’ve shown us. Let us find life in your Word. Heal the inner places of our hearts that need to be made whole. For those who have never placed roots in your love, allow them to be transplanted into your kingdom. Provide for us the needs that we don’t even know we have. Care for us and tend to us lovingly as we know you do. Cut off the dead places and help us to be life giving plants that bring you glory. Thank you for being the Gardener. Amen.

What you can do:

Spend time drinking in the water from the Word, and fellowship with God in prayer. If you notice another brother or sister looking a little droopy offer the refreshment He’s given you from His word.