In Weakness

My love for plants comes from my mother. She loved gardening and spending time outdoors, whether she was growing fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, or flowers. As time went on, she learned  that buying garden plants could get costly. We often found her roaming the sale section, where the weak or wilted plants hang out. She had a unique ability to care for and revive plants back to life.

I recently learned from an expert landscape gardener that weaker, partially dead plants actually respond much better to transplanting than healthier plants. She explained that weaker plants are in a type of hibernation mode, so they don't experience major shock when moved to a new environment. Under stress, apparently weaker plants trigger a survival response and show more intense flavor and radiance.    

I've observed a similar pattern when God works in our lives. We become more pliable and responsive to His guidance when we are aware of our weaknesses. In those moments of weakness, we are compelled to rely more on God. We often wish our weaknesses would disappear, but through weakness, He shapes us into the people He wants us to be. Those very weaknesses are what God uses to lead us to the place He has chosen for us in His kingdom.  We learn to draw out more of his power and strength.

‘…my power is made perfect in weakness.’ …(2 Co. 12:9)

In this way, we adapt more easily to our environment and respond more fully to His direction.  We also become more flavorful when we endure these stresses. Like plants under stress, our lives develop a deeper ‘flavor.’  We reflect the radiance of Christ more as we press closer to him.