A Lasting Beauty

I love spring. One of the things I love is seeing all the daffodils blooming in the middle of nowhere. They were planted generations ago by ladies who loved beauty, and those flowers are still there--still blooming each and every spring.

Those ladies still have an impact on the world. They're still making this a beautiful place to live, even though they're no longer here to enjoy it or even nurture it. That's what I want for my life. I want to leave lasting beauty for those coming after me. How do I do that? By planting flower bulbs? I could. But it only takes one pass of a tractor or bulldozer to bring their beauty to an end.

Those daffodils remind me that I need to be planting seeds for eternity. Seeds that can grow, bloom and multiply long after I'm gone. Those are blooms that will last forever, not just for a season.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21 NAS

God has given each one of us work to do in our life, with our life. We need to fulfill that calling to the best of our ability. Whether we're in the task-force, ministry, or at home full-time, we're to be a light shining brightly to those around us. A flower that blooms in unlikely places, pointing others to Christ. Always pointing to Jesus.

If we're obeying God, we're planting for eternity. Well, let me rephrase that. There are many times my husband asks me to do something, and I'll do it...eventually. I'll do it...grudgingly. I'll do it...muttering the whole time. I'll do it...with a rotten attitude. Sure, it's obedience, but... It's like if my husband were to pick a bouquet of flowers, and before giving it to me, squishing each bloom in his fist.

It takes more than obedience to plant for eternity. Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it won't bear fruit (John 12:24). In order for us to bear fruit for eternity, we need to deny ourselves and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Denying ourselves is when the seed dies. That's when planting for eternity starts.

When we die to ourselves we follow Christ
Immediately, not eventually.
Gladly, not grudgingly.
Praising, not muttering.
With a sweet aroma, not the smell of rottenness.

That is planting for eternity. Seeds that will produce lasting beauty. Beauty that blooms in our lives and also that will reach beyond us to the generations coming after us. We are to live beautiful lives so that our sons and grandsons might fear the Lord. (Duet 6:1-2)

That kind of life will produce results that bear fruit and bloom even after we're gone--just as those daffodils bloom long after their planters have died. We don't know the planters' names, but what's important is that they planted the flowers and we're still reaping the benefits and beauty of them. That's what we're looking for in our lives, too.

The beauty of a life lived for Christ. 
That's truly lasting beauty. 

5 comments:

  1. Great reminder! I love the daffodils popping up and reminding us of renewal! I love what you said about the women who planted the bulbs and how their work lives on. Thanks for encouraging today!

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  2. Beautiful post, Patty! Exactly what I needed to hear today - we need to joyfully do the work He has called us to.
    Have a great weekend!

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  3. I love the thought of planting seeds for eternity!
    Thank you for sprinkling a little beauty and lots of encouragement on my day!

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  4. Absolutely beautiful, Peej. Ministered to me so much. Love your blockquote:

    When we die to ourselves we follow Christ
    Immediately, not eventually.
    Gladly, not grudgingly.
    Praising, not muttering.
    With a sweet aroma, not the smell of rottenness.

    Amen!

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  5. LOVE this - great reminder (Ms. Daffodil!).

    ReplyDelete

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