Last time we were reading together I used an illustration of an old photograph and some other things to illustrate that the passage of time in this world will result in crippling effects, but we are to take hope in Christ and the fact that He doesn't change and neither should our desire to serve Him. This time to illustrate the same concept in the title, I want to use a flower, particularly a Gladiola. A few years ago, at a bargain sale, I bought a bag of Gladiola flower bulbs. I am drawn to flower bulbs because they come back generally with no need to replant every year. I am also amazed as I watch the growing process. This growing process is another example of the effects of time.
The believer's life is a growing process. The effects of time is evident here. It cannot be done overnight. It will not be done perfectly every day. It will not be done if proper nourishment is not present to sustain it. A Gladiola, as mentioned, starts as a bulb. The bulb will not grow if any of four elements are not present. They are: 5-6 inches of good nitrated soil, ample water base and moisture, plenty of constant sunlight (the more direct the better) and time (usually 4-6 weeks to germination). Once that bulb is planted into the ground and the dirt is filled in and the first watering over, there is always the wonder in the mind of a first time "gardener" if this thing is really going to take off and sprout. You wait and wait and wait.....keep waiting and then a small finger point breaks the ground. From there, with proper nourishment the plant steadily grows to 5 feet. Sometimes it takes a while for a Christian to "break the soil" and really begin to show growth. At the inception of the new birth, there are a host of Satan's devices plotted against the new believer. Weeds and underground matters of growth can serve to stifle the new plant. Satan uses discouragement and confusion with sometimes religious tones to retard the new believer's growth. Satan knows how vital the new believer will be and that he or she is most vulnerable when they are this weak. However, it is during this time that good formative instruction and foundation in God also is formed. In the early years of a new believer, no matter the physical age, the right truths taught the right way will have maximum impact on the amount of his or her endurance and faith will be later in life. Time will be the classroom of this growth.
The effects of time in the believer's life will seen in the fruit he or she bears. Now of course the Gladiola bears no edible fruit like a peach tree or so forth, but the flower blossom is its fruit. The whole intention of the flowering plant is to present its blossoms. But before it can do so the stem has to reach a certain height. As the height of the stem grows you will notice the bulge inside one of its normally paper thin branches. At the right time, the plant opens up and the beauty of its inward treasure spring forth. Here is where we depart somewhat in our comparison for it is true that it takes time to bear fruit, but in the believer's life we can bear fruit in just a few short hours of being saved. The main point is that there is fruit to bear. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that disciples are known to be such by the evidence of the works (fruit) they do for the Lord. This fruit is not the reason of salvation but is the proof of salvation. A plant grows not because of its flowers but for its flowers. We serve Jesus Christ in order to produce good works that is evidence of Him inside each of us.
One last effect of time is that sometimes a Gladiola stalk can grow so tall it becomes top heavy and in need of support. In the believer's life we can grow so tall for so long we can get a bit overconfident. We have read the Scriptures for years, we have taught many classes, we have served in many ways and that can sometimes tend to make us overconfident and full of pride. When that happens we fall over to the ground. We are not cut off but sorely bent over. When this happens to a Gladiola stalk we can take a stick or a dowel and fasten the weak stalk to it to help hold it up. Sometimes its not time that has caused us to fall over but rain. Rain can beat down such a tender plant and a storm in life can serve to beat us down in despair. Storms can come in various forms, but most often they come in Satanic attacks or attacks we have brought on ourselves by our making.. Of course the only strong support we have is God's Word, but we as brothers and sisters in Christ can be the lashings that hold on or reach out to help secure one who is failing. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
How is time effecting you? Are you growing as a believer? Are you desiring and or producing fruit? Just like growing a Gladiola, we hope that what we put in the ground will become a tall plant with lots of blossoms. Christ desires exactly that in each of us. He desires that the longer you serve Him the more fruitful you will be. Time well spent in His Word and in His Work can produce a bountiful harvest.
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Photo courtesy of Jon Browning
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