Bloom

 

Today is the only July 13, 2021 I will ever see. The ONLY one. So many days have slipped through my fingers unloved, unvalued. Some of these I had designated as "full rest" days. Nearly every time I have done that, I ended up feeling unfulfilled, bereft. That's because we were built on purpose, for a purpose. Just like the beautiful flowers in the picture I've posted here, which are languishing on my back porch, we are made to bloom. To grow, to endure, to flower. 

Sometimes our blooming happens unintentionally. We stumble upon a job or a friendship that leads us in all of the right directions. The path is smooth, laden with fragrant flowers, and the sunlight of fellowship guides us on. Other times we are formed, in all of our subtlety of expression and shades of emotion, in the dark, just the lantern of God's hope swinging by our side as we pray, take a step, repeat. 

Other times our lives are like a sinking, swaying ship. Through no fault of our own, or perhaps fully through our own missteps, we find ourselves in the center of chaos. The winds beat mercilessly, the rain pounds and sea creatures rise from the depths of the black abyss to taunt us day and night.  Eager for this "adventure" to end, we search for the key to the door out. 

But the best life, the life well-lived, is a very, very contemplative one. No matter how many storms, how many peace-laden paths, how many dark passages, this life is lived on purpose. I know, from personal experience (and from finally reaching the age that means earlier bedtimes and less energy for sheer folly) that the only way to follow Jesus is to know Him deeply. The only way to know Him deeply is to spend time with Him. Walking, talking and listening. Reading his Word, the Bible. Journaling what He's doing. What He's saying. Making Him the passion and center of my existence. Making Him the reason for everything.

In the end, He is the gift that cannot, will not be taken. He is the sunrise that never darkens. He is the hope that never fails. He is the supply that is never cut off. He is the warmth that never cools, the ardor that never abates, the love that goes on in the face of my failures. My repeated, repeating failures. He is the One my soul craves and He, He alone will make up my lack, heal my gaping wounds, wrap the ice of terror in peace. He is the one. His life is my life and my life depends on Him. From start to finish I am His and He is mine.