Diversity

One of the things I love about The Acres is its diversity. There are areas of full shade, dappled shade, half shade-half sun, full sun. And there are dry areas, sandy areas, and boggy-swampy areas. The reason why I love that diversity? God has created different plants for each environment--all of them gorgeous. Some plants thrive in the full shade, but can't stand full sun. Some are the exact opposite. Some can stand a little sun; some a little shade. Some love wet feet; some love sandy, dry soil. The key for this old gardener is finding what each plant wants. At times, that requires some transplanting. Once I find the right home, blooms away. Their loveliness shines.
The same, of course, is true of God's people. God has made each of us different--actually, He has made each of us special. And He knows where our beauty will shine the brightest for Him and the kingdom. So He plants us where He needs us--where He designed for us to be. All He asks of us is that we radiate the beauty--the Treasure--He has placed within us. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." And that we are content where He has planted us and don't try to transplant ourselves. (He will move us when He finds another place where we are needed.) And that we don't envy those He has given a beauty different from our own. None of His "flowers" in His garden are more beautiful or necessary for the beautification of His Kingdom. He is the Master Gardener, the Master of the Beautiful. One day we will see the mosaic--the beautiful pattern of His "rooting" us where He needed us into the soil of the garden. Remember, everyone of His flowers is rooted in love. Be content. Be Beautiful. Radiate His love. Sow the seed of His Word right where He has planted you. All the world needs to see--and know--that He is the Altogether Lovely One. He has you where you are necessary to display that loveliness for all to see. So, bloom away!