Do you ever admire someone else’s beautiful yard? I know I do. I often wish that I had a yard full of flowers so I can just go outside and pick them and bring them in to enjoy. I really want a yard like that.
But did you know that a beautiful yard did not just happen one day. That yard took hard work, hours of planning, days of careful cultivation. That beautiful yard took time, effort, and desire.
Do you ever admire someone else’s faith. Have you ever said, “I don’t know how he/she can handle that so bravely? I wish I had faith like that.”
Just like that beautiful yard, you cannot have a mature faith without hard work. You must tend it with daily care. You must weed out the bad stuff, pinch off the blooms in your life that are unproductive and ugly, water it daily with God’s Word and prayer, and nurture it through worship with others.
Once untended, the flowers cease to bloom and the yard loses its beauty.
“For this reason, make every effort to ADD to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in INCREASING measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8.
Tended daily, your faith will grow and become productive in your own life and in the lives of others. You will see that beautiful faith blossom into strength that is admired by all who know you.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane