I, the Gardener,
have planted myself a garden.
I have walled it up and provided irrigation.
I protect it from harmful and arid winds.
You are trees that I have planted; it is my desire that
you bear me much fruit. To that end, you are placed in
my garden where the water, sunlight and soil are
specific to the needs of your fullest growth. As you
grow I will prune your branches and thin developing
fruit. You need do nothing I have done all. It
is my will that your fruit ripen. When fully ripe its
taste will explode on the taste buds of those who I
invite to sample it.
You do not wave your limbs or branches to attract the
attention of passers-by. You are trees. I will invite
and conduct my friends to you that they might taste,
know and experience the fruit that I, the gardener, have
produced. And as they bite, breaking the skin, the aroma
will ascend and the juices will flood and they will know
my goodness. Yes they may not be gentle when pulling the
fruit, but I will bind and heal -- I will that you
produce even more fruit.
I AM the Gardener.
Song of
Solomon 4:11-16; 5:1
John 15:1-16
Psalm 34:8 |
I was in a weekly men's prayer in
which I participate. After we'd completed the devotional
time & had gone to prayer I saw an image of
God-the-Gardner. (Please do not read that as a vision.
It wasn't. It was only a snapshot). As some of those at
table would be confused were I to verbalize this as a
"message from the Lord". I shared it as a prayer of
praise. The men's ministry leader later asked that I
make it into a homily, which required that I write it.
The attached is that writing &, as near as I was able,
is a faithful representation of the image as I
interpreted it.
Awake & alive in His service,
Eutychus
The steadfast love of the
LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. |
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