As the rain and snow

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

“‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’
    says the Lord.
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.'” Isaiah 1:18

“You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

Expunge: To destroy; blot out; obliterate; erase; strike out wholly; to cancel out or destroy completely; to eliminate from one’s consciousness. In law, an expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred, essentially removing it from a defendant’s record.

In perfect, kind, selfless love, one keeps no record of wrongs. The other’s deserved penalty has been paid in full with mercy, so it is put away forever. No owing, no recounting, no record. Jesus loves this way to this end, and so are we are to love one another. As He has graciously done away with our sin against Him, we are in turn to expunge all infractions against us. Not repeat them, resurface them, or return them to the ring for a fight. Ever. (John 13:34; 1 Peter 2:24)

Keeping no record of wrongs closes the door on resentment with love upon love. It seals off forever every offense, with a freedom and joy that says, ‘no more. You will not have a hold or effect on me.’ It turns greed into generosity, the tendency to nurse a wound to healing it, and bitterness and competition into protecting, trusting, and persevering.

As for accounts, records may vary. For our good, we must keep them short, daily bringing the tally to zero. Some wrongs may be confessed, to which we kindly extend forgiveness and repair. Others, perhaps never acknowledged or confessed, are expunged when we pray, with humility and genuine compassion, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” It’s not up to us to convict or correct- the Holy Spirit is better at those anyway. But it is our responsibility, and is doable by God’s grace, to forgive, and release. (Luke 23:34; Ephesians 4:26-27)

What sins are we holding against others? Would we, with an act of will, forgive, and put them to rest, forever? We may not forget, and still and forever bear scars, but the record keeping- the pulling out the list to recount and recite- must not be. In holding onto wrongs done us, we’re the ones shackled. What and whom the Lord has set free is free indeed, and the chains He broke at Calvary fall from us as we relinquish our list. (John 8:36; Ephesians 4:32)

Gracious Lord, in gratitude for the Cross and Your divine forgiveness, help me expunge every record of wrongs done me. May I love others as You love, so You are exalted and known.

“There was no water for the congregation. They assembled themselves together against Moses and Aaron. The people quarreled with Moses, ‘Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die..? Why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.’ Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly… and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared..” Numbers 20:2-6

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night…

The wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” Psalm 1:1-2,5

“If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

“They went up to the upper room,.. Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Acts 1:13-14

“They devoted themselves to… teaching,.. fellowship,.. and prayers… Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” Acts 2:42,46-47

“He went to the house of Mary,.. where many were gathered together and were praying.” Acts 12:12

In cultures where individualism reigns supreme, and societies where distance and isolation has been the norm, people still have an innate need to belong. The mantra of ‘community’ may have been disrupted of late, but it thrums on in incessant rhythm in the hearts of man. Groups assemble magnetically in common fandom, protests, fellowship, and movements. Some prowl and howl their rancor, some cheer a team or cause, and others worship in holy unison. (Psalm 34:3; 59:6-7)

What motivates us to assemble together? Are we driven by compulsion to talk, gather scurulous information, and gossip, or to build others up, share what God has done, sing His praises together, and pray in mutual support and supplication? How can Christ be central? Pray ahead of meeting to have open ears, eyes, and hearts, to specifically bless and give grace those in need, for God to superintend every interaction and season our conversations with salt. (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:11,14-19)

Maybe we are those who prefer to be alone and quiet, and are drained by groups with too much frenetic input and discussion. In this case, we are still called to gather together, and can prepare with similar prayer. The Lord blesses our obedience by using us to build up others and building us up at the same time. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Father, guide me to do my part in assembling with the righteous, contributing to the growth of Your Body and the praise of Your glory. (Colossians 3:12-16)

“The Lord spoke to me again: ‘Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land…’

“For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: ‘Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary…'” Isaiah 8:5-8,11-14a

“My people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
    the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
    broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13

“Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink…’ [Jesus] said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.’ So he went and washed and came back seeing.” John 7:37; 9:7

“See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.” Hebrews 12:25

Prophets and apostles speak a consistent message with Jesus: refuse Him, or suffer the consequences. Throughout the Scriptures and for millennia through history, God’s people have rebelled, inviting and incurring His promised wrath. His holiness requires that we meet Him at mercy, yet time and again, we refuse His appointed healing, living waters in order to make our own way. And that way will never succeed. We cannot clean ourselves nor earn God’s favor. Every effort at ‘rejoicing over Rezin’ with desperation or alien affection, and hewing our own cisterns, will lead us only to the blast and pound of Justice’s raging river.

The glorious truth is that Jesus endured our deserved and horrid judgment, and His nail-scarred hands hold out Shiloah’s gentle cleansing waters today. He is merciful and mighty to save. Although we suffer the effects of God’s present wrath in the world, we can choose by His grace to submerse ourselves in the flow of His grace that both cleanses and renews. (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 1:18-21; 8:18-24; Titus 3:4-7)

The Lord will make His way and have His way no matter what. Wouldn’t we rather the mode of Shiloh’s gentle waters by yielding to God’s early and gracious discipline, than harsher methods to get our attention? What’s causing stubbornness to insist on our own devices, strategies, and escapes? Any bent of the flesh can be washed and regenerated by His life-giving waters! Would we genuinely repent and fully receive His cleansing, and return regularly for times of refreshing? (Psalm 32:1-7; Acts 3:19-20; Romans 2:3-5)

Lord, may I fear and honor You as holy, and daily come under Your measureless flow of mercy and grace. So cleanse and fill me that I never thirst for any water but You.

He

“Behold, you are beautiful, my love;
    behold, you are beautiful;
    your eyes are doves...

“As a lily among brambles,
    so is my love among the young women.

She

“As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
    so is my beloved among the young men.
With great delight I sat in his shadow,
    and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house,
    and his banner over me was love…
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
    by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
    until it pleases.

“The voice of my beloved!
    Behold, he comes,
leaping over the mountains,
    bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle
    or a young stag.
Behold, there he stands
    behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
    looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me:
‘Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
    the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
    the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
    is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
    and the vines are in blossom;
    they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
    in the crannies of the cliff,
let me see your face,
    let me hear your voice,
for your voice is sweet,
    and your face is lovely.
Catch the foxes for us,
    the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
    for our vineyards are in blossom.’

“My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Song of Songs 1:15; 2:2-4,7-16a

There is a power in pursuing love that cannot be denied, or resisted. When it once sets affection, captivation becomes consuming passion that is never fully quenched. The ongoing nature of love is inexplicable satisfaction that is never satisfied, because it is infinite and eternal. We cannot help but love in return.

Such is Christ’s love that both constrains and frees us. It meets and satiates our deepest longings, and compels us to want more of Him. It arrests our senses with delight and fills our world with beauty, dimension, color, and fragrance, and loosens our lips to sing. It settles us under its banner of blessing and favor, and sets us to run in joy, and free. It seats us at its banquet table and nourishes with richest fare, and sends us to feed others. It holds us fast and stirs us to embrace others in its life-giving warmth. (Psalm 23:1-3,5; 2 Corinthians 5:14-19)

How lavishly do we return our Savior’s love? And how are we loving others in His name and character?

“O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that follow’st all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.” ~George Matheson (1882)

Gracious Lord who infinitely loves me, perfect my love for You and for those around me, that they are drawn to love Thee too.

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…

“When [Christ] said, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will.’ He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:1-4,8-14,19-23

It seems inconsistent that a work can be coincidentally completed and ongoing, but in God’s economy, His word is yes and amen. The fact that Jesus has finished with our sin penalty once for all is the very foundation for our ongoing sanctification. It elucidates the joy before us and is the power that motivates us to persevere. When we know the war was finished at Calvary, the ultimate victory won, we can confidently follow our Captain and sing as victors in fiery battle. When we know He understands every strategy against us, and that we go not forth alone against the daily foe, we can boldly take the next step into the unseen. When dissension rages, doubts erupt, and the world quakes, we can stand fast because He’s our present help and shield. His once and forever is the foundation of our ongoing. (Psalm 18:1-3; 46:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:20)

Oh Christian, why do we faint when the going is tough? Let us not lose heart, but hold fast our hope! We have been sanctified, and are being sanctified! Jesus has seized the joy before Him and holds it for us! He has lifted our burden, we can run unfettered! He has finished, we can persevere! He is faithful, we need not fear! He upholds us, we cannot fall! (Psalm 55:22; 68:19; John 19:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 12:1-2)

Father, when the daily is fraught with trial, keep my eyes on the prize. Finish in me what You have finished in heaven, to Your glory. (Philippians 3:14)

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel…’

“Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said, ‘Go up into the Negeb and… the hill country,  and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many,  and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.’ Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

“So they went up… and came to Hebron… to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs… 

“At the end of forty days they returned [and]… came to Moses and Aaron and… brought back word.., and showed them the fruit of the land. ‘We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there…’

“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’” Numbers 13:1-2,17-23,25-28,30-31

Rich, abundant grapes turn sour under the dampness of our whining. Instead of claiming His every promise, we inject our howevers and besides, complaining about the difficulties and pruning that make His gifts all the richer. We exchange holy expectancy for self-focused fear, unwilling to undergo the faith tests that would lead to a bounty of true fulfillment. (John 15:1-2)

When we explore the land of walking with God, do we see the richness of life learning to trust Him and the rewards of sanctification, or only the obstacles and harsdships should we travel there? We may hesitate to speak up when God has given us a unique voice, or tackle the first step in reconciliation, or hold back from the dirty work required to repent, or make peace. But hard things are necessary to equip us for all God’s prepared- He would have no flabby followers. A life of faith, where Christ is living through us, is one that ventures out, seizes the clusters, and partakes, because He is the One calling and enabling. (Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 13:20-21)

There are always excuses for disobedience, always reasons for not taking on a new challenge or speaking truth due to fear. But when God promises to give the land, to supply courage and victory to overcome, He keeps His word. Will we go at once?

Lord, help me flourish and bring You praise as Your peasant planting by embracing Your bounty Your way, with zealous faith. (Isaiah 5:7)

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.’  So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this command before he died:  “Say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’” And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him.  His brothers came and fell down before him and said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’  But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:15-21

“Do not be afraid of them,
    for they cannot do evil,
    neither is it in them to do good.

There is none like you, O Lord;
    you are great, and your name is great in might.
Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
    For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms
    there is none like you.” Jeremiah 10:5b-7

When we remove God from his rightful and established place, our vision of the way things work is distorted. We open the door to suspicion, fear, jealousy, and pride at our own importance or that of others here below. We begin to position ourselves in the trees to manipulate circumstances; He sees the glorious beyond.

There is only one God. He alone rules, with kings, kingdoms, and circumstances subject to Him. Fixing this truth as our permanent mindset and sure hope makes a huge difference in how we view what happens around us: Trouble? It comes from His hand to train us. Pain? It was shared by our crucified Savior. Uncertainty? It’s held by the Sovereign Alpha and Omega. Embattled? We’re shielded round about and defended by the omnipresent Advocate. (Psalm 3:3; Romans 8:31-34; Philippians 3:10; James 1:2-5; Revelation 1:8; 21:6)

In what situations do I try to maneuver my way into God’s place? ‘I know best, I have this, I don’t need Your help, I can figure this out’? Where are we trying to mete out revenge? ‘I deserve, I have every right, I’m entitled’? It’s His place alone to judge, yet we meddle in His affairs. Only when we yield to His Lordship do we experience the fruit of His redemptive intentions to save, heal, and impel spiritual growth.

The Lord is trustworthy to work all- even injustice and suffering- for our good. He alone makes all grace abound to us, supplies help in time of need, and exercises vengeance on those deserving. In the meantime, He guards our hearts and gives access to His throne, so we can rest at peace. (Romans 8:28; 12:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:16)

Good Father, keep me in my place as You reign in Yours. Help me relinquish my attempted hold on life to trust You in all Your magnificent purposes.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting… But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.'” Numbers 10:1-3,7-10

How useful the silver trumpets! How sweet and pure and strong their sound! Their hearty blast summoned and warned and directed the people, in each instance a lovely attention draw to the LORD. Punctuating the dry eastern air, trumpet blows signaled gathering, movement, the taking up of arms, divine protection, and celebration. Each blast would remind them the LORD was their God.

Is there a perpetual signal in our lives that recounts the abiding presence of the Lord? He is nigh in every breaking of camp, every regrouping, fracture, or reassignment of home, career, and schedule. He attends our every assembly of worship, discussion, collaboration, instruction, and disagreement. He resides over every war, injustice, and grief, His comfort near in every oppression of body and spirit, every threat of disruption or loss, every attack of betrayal, disappointment, or loneliness. Do we sound the trumpet to remind ourselves, to prompt gladness and praise because He is our God in the midst?

How might we incorporate the trumpet blow into our beginnings and resolutions, our going forth and our giving up? We can discipline ourselves to praise Him at the fore of every day, enumerating His goodness and promises, and offering ourselves as living sacrifices in practical worship and work. We can regularly pause to be glad, note gladness, speak gladness, and spread gladness wherever we are. No matter what a day holds, it can be a day peppered with gladness because we know the One who holds it and works His will for good and glory. (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 8:28; 12:1; Colossians 3:23; James 1:2)

Imagine the effect on others and the atmosphere around us if we chose to blow our trumpets by exalting God’s name and sounding off His love and grace with a smile. Who will we remind, with the countenance of gladness and peace, that the LORD is God?

Lord, may every day be the day of my gladness in You. Attune me to hear Your call to stay or to move, to battle or rest or sacrifice, all with grateful and willing heart so You are the One glorified.

“Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, ‘We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, “I will give it to you.” Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.’ But he said to him, ‘I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.’  And he said, ‘Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you.’

“So they set out from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey. And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.

“And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.’ And when it rested, he said, ‘Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.'” Numbers 10:29-36

When Hobab initially turned down his brother-in-law’s invitation to join God’s adventure into promised good, Moses urged him forward by enlisting his experience and help. Not only would he be their eyes in the wilderness, but he would be supernaturally blessed for his service. Moses’s persuasion worked, and Hobab would now have front row observation of this remarkable, humble friend of God and all the Almighty would do on their behalf. (Numbers 12:3; Deuteronomy 34:7,10-12)

Taking that first step into the unknown can bring a blast of conflicting feelings: excitement with dread, adventure with consternation. Hesitancy can result in lost opportunity to see God at work and to experience His goodness that spreads broadly from our own faith and courage to the building up of His kingdom and His splendor revealed.

What keeps us from venturing out into God’s sure promises? Do we know them well enough to stake our claim in their land? Have we grown so complacent in ease, familiar, comfort, and pat scripture soundbites that we are unwilling to take new turns or slopes with Him? Do we fail to search out His known plans for future good because our fear of the uncontrollable and unknown distorts our vision and cripples our faith? Reluctance on our part is a statement that we trust our ways and goals more than His, that we think we know better, and this folly surely impedes spiritual progress. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

When we ask the Lord to show us why we would reject and where we would depart His invitations, He is faithful to reveal our weak devotion and to overturn our hesitancy with faith. Every ounce of willingness matched with forward motion is used by Him to increase our faith and to utilize our gifts for the sake of His kingdom. Would we set out in trust of His word?

Good Father, grant me both desire and courage to follow where You lead. May I by faith climb Your heights and seize Your pledged and beautiful good, and so know You better and make You known in ways I’d otherwise miss. (Psalm 48:1-3,11-14)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Her vermillion profusion captivates with wonder as it blazes resplendent against infinite blue. The royal poinciana tree that spends so much of its year unadorned and homely, except for its graceful umbrella shape, has set aflame the lazy early summer. Her arms are so wide it is difficult to capture the full reach of their splendor within a single picture frame. Her beauty spreads over the edges with grace and flourish.

Beauty beyond borders is uncontained and uncontainable. Isn’t that how the Lord’s vibrant, limitless loveliness makes its way into our lives and abroad this earth? Isn’t this how we as His people spread His fragrance so profusely that others cannot resist it? God-warmed hearts glow with love, and lives set afire by His Spirit burn with truth to reflect the magnificence and power of their life-Giver. The brilliance of His presence awakens the sleeping and searching soul to desire what He alone offers. Are we clean and eager vessels? Would we arise, and let our light shine?

Do I limit my reach in God’s world by a provincial outlook and carefully-protected borders of my space and time? How willing am I to branch out, to stretch my selfishly-set limitations and trust God for adequate energy and wherewithal to go where I have not before? Whom might the Lord want to influence for good and life through me, were I to make myself available?

It is vital I thrust my roots deep in His word, to draw nourishment to grow and bloom for Him. I must be careful that as I bear His name, so my behavior reflects His image and lovely character. As I grow, He will cause my gifts to bloom and extend my canopy of influence as He determines. The difference He makes through me depends on my yieldedness, His bringing, and His blessing.

Lord, bring to pass the extent of Your plans for the wide spectrum of Your people. As the branch of Your planting, cause me to so radiate Your glory that others swarm to Your life-giving light, limited only by walls of Salvation and gates of Praise. To You be all glory! (Isaiah 60:4-7,9,18,21)