Planted Where?
Not a master gardener by any stretch of the imagination, but I love containers with green and colors flowing over.
What you and I don’t see is the spidery roots warm and cozy down in the soil. Drinking up moisture and nutrients and anchoring in place what we do see. Just what we need when it comes to our souls. To flourish in our harsh environments we need good soil, nourishment, and something to hold us steady.
“Those that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalm 92:13 WBT)
The thing is this is not one and done. Doesn’t take long for tender shoots to wilt if we forget to water them. And once well established, grooming and feeding change ‘just growing’ to ‘thriving’. But sometimes that’s painful.
I hate pruning roses. Seems harsh, but left alone they don’t produce much. Recently my husband cut a scraggly bush way back. Lo and behold, the new growth is amazing. So it is with us. God sometimes has to vigorously prune to transform us from ‘just believers’ into ‘pursuers’ who thrive and attract others. “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” (Psalm 92:14 NIV)
Hmm, that’s sounds good. I want to be fresh and green even in old age. Not in the sense of no wrinkles or white hair, but in the sense of a heart that has left behind selfish ways and is filled with the dew of Christ’s nourishment. So how? And why?
This is a daily thing. Surrender, prayer, His Word, repentance. We are a constant work in progress. As we outwardly grow old, inside we are being refreshed and renewed. And someday that new will last forever. No more pruning needed. But still why? Because this life is not all there is. To live for self means fading away like a bouquet of flowers. To live for God and His eternity is being well rooted and ever green.
Then we will go about declaring “The LORD is just; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” (Psalm 92:15 HCSB) Planted where we thrive – in Christ’s love.
parisrenae 
I love this Psalm! As my husband and I are getting up in years, it encourages me that we have a great future flourishing in God’s house. Thanks for sharing!
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Isn’t that so true – the closer we get to the end of this earth suit, the closer we are to life unending – where all the awe we can find here is but a glimmer compared to His forever for us.
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I think we’re all a bit hungry for GREEN this time of year, and I love these words about flourishing in a growing relationship with Christ!
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All of God’s creation is intentional – we learn so many lessons just from observing His masterful works don’t we? Blessings as you flourish in His courts…
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