God has been teaching me lessons about relationships through what I observe in gardens. I love the mix of colour—the variation in flowers fascinates me. It is amazing how the differences in each one bring out the beauty of the others. It makes me think of the truths in Ecclesiastes 4: Two are better than one, because … if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. … Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (vv. 9-12 NIV).
In the beauty of the individual colours and of the colours together, the lesson is that we need each other to be strong. We need God at the centre of our lives, and we also need the support, encouragement, mentoring, and presence of one another. We need to let the beauty and power of Christ shine through us both as individuals and together as a body, to testify to God’s character and to what He has done for us through Christ. He invites all of us into the beauty of an intimate relationship with Himself and, if we stay connected to Him, we can share that beauty with others.
I look across at my neighbours’ house and see the hard work they put into their garden. They have a gift I do not. But that is exactly how God wants it to be. He has gifted us all differently, wanting us to share our gifts and not live life in isolation. Let God establish your roots. Stay close and grow with each other, trusting the beauty He is creating.
