The other day my family went to a park near by for some fresh air. To get out of the house. While at the park I noticed some very beautiful blooms on a variety of bushes, trees and flowers. I began wandering around picking various flowers and twigs with green, red, and yellow leaves. I don't know how many different species of trees and flowers I picked but it was over 10. My mind wandered to something I heard about nature and how it is a symphony of species working together to create a healthy enviroment. What do we find in the woods? Unless it is a tract of land that has been planted to a specific tree you find multiple varieties of trees, shrubs and undergrowth. You may have Lob Lolly Pine, Virginia Pine, Short Leaf Pine, Red Oak, White Oak, Sycamore, Beech, Walnut, Pin Oak, Cedar, Locust, Hemlock and Willow Oak all growing on the same tract of land. This doesn't include all the shrubs or laurel, moss and multitudes of other living organisms. This variety of species thrives on living together, they compliment each other, creating a healthier soil and enviroment. The complete opposite of a
monoculture.
The same is true in humanity. It's true in my family of seven. Each of us is unique and different which makes it difficult to get along, to harmonize. But as we grow in Christ it becomes easier to work out our differences and learn from each other. It truly is an essitial part of life. Learning and growing in Christ. Even though the bouquet of flowers and leaves I picked the other evening was disheveled and looked like a man had done the picking and arranging it was still beautiful. Was it perfect? No. How it looked didn't change it's ability to smell good and put a smile on someones face.
We have all these people in our churches and families. How do we bring harmony to these differences? God harmonized creation and God can harmonize our hearts and souls. I was reminded of the song "Complete In Thee." There is nothing we can do on our own to improve this harmony. It is through Christ working in our hearts. Continually drawing us to himself. Nothing I can do could possibly take the place of His work. It's because of Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection we can stand Complete In Thee. What a blessed thought it is to be justified, sanctified and glorified.
He supplies all our wants and doesn't deny the good thing. My understanding of what the good thing is may be skewed and He knows what is best for me. Is the Lord my portion? Is He my all in all? Am I really Complete in Him?
Is He reigning within my heart? Is His blood causing the tempter to flee? If so I shall stand Complete in Him. Because of this I will be among the chosen when I cross the bar. Complete in Thee.
Yea, justified, oh, blessed thought,
And sanctified, salvation wrought.
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified I, too, shall be.
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified I, too, shall be.
So, like creation, we have the ability to mend our broken relationships based on Christ's work on the cross and in our accpetance of Him as Savior and Lord. As King of our hearts, souls and minds.
To God Be the Glory.