Author: meghanewhite

Faith

Beautiful Yet Brief

meghanewhite

Our magnolia tree is in full bloom. Large creamy white magnolia buds and blooms stand among the contrasting shiny green leaves. If you come close enough you can smell their sweet citrus fragrance. These beauties don’t last long though. Maybe two to three days. Then the petals drop to the ground just as quick as they arrived. The life of a magnolia flower is brief much like our life.

When I was a child I had almost no concept of how short life is. In my young mind it felt as though I may live forever. After a few years, and a few life experiences, the reality set in that my life will end on this earth.

If we are fortunate enough to live a good long life we live into our eighties, maybe even nineties. The miraculous few advance into over one hundred years. These numbers all sound large. We sit back and say, “They lived a long life”. In light of eternity those years are small. Almost immeasurable.

The magnolia flower is a stunning picture of our short time here. Birth, and childhood, and growing up, and adult stuff. We go from seeds, to buds, to flowers in full bloom. And it’s all beautiful. The victories, triumphs, joys, rewards, heartaches, pains, losses, hurts,  and wounds. All are part of the beauty. They come together to make us who we are.

James tells us that our lives are a mist. We appear for a little while and then we vanish (James 4:14). James warned those who boast and brag of where they will go tomorrow and what they will do, because they may not see tomorrow (James 4:13-14). Only God knows what tomorrow holds. James continues on to say that there should be no boasting and bragging about what we are going to do; only if it’s God will (James 4:15-16).

It’s  humbling to think of my life as a mist that will vanish. God knows when my life will end. I have no guarantee of tomorrow. I’d like to think I do, but I don’t. I’ve got right now. I choose to follow Him, not lead. This is not easy for me. So many times I have made plans without God in mind. I have boasted and bragged with no mention of the will of my Father. His grace and love always remind me that His plans are better than mine in this beautiful life.

James 4:14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (NIV).

Love you all,

Meghan

 

 

 

Jesus

My Vineyard

meghanewhite

Those small round green things are grapes. They look kind of sad but they are grapes. My grapes from my vineyard. OK, so I don’t actually have a vineyard. I have two small grapevines growing along my back fence. I never get to enjoy those grapes since the birds and squirrels eat them by the time they are purple and ripe. I still get excited though, when I see those little grapes. It’s a reward for planting, watering, trimming, and waiting.

I love that God uses vineyards, farming, and planting seeds to teach us how He works. It’s a beautiful picture to me because I love gardening. Each year my husband and I plant herbs, vegetables, and fruit in our suburban backyard. Some years our garden is full of variety and very fruitful (no pun intended). We’ve had years where we neglected the garden and got very little as a result. Many factors affect our harvest. Watering enough. Weeding regularly. Pruning. Gardens require care and patience.

When I look at my little vineyard I think of John 15:5. It is one of my favorite verses, and the Holy Spirit reminds me of it almost daily. Jesus is the true vine and I am just a branch. I cling to the promise of that truth just like a branch clings to a vine. I can do nothing apart from the vine, Jesus. Not some things. Not a few things. NOTHING. This is reassuring to me and at times frustrating.

As the measly branch I get impatient waiting for fruit. Waiting for growth. Waiting on the Lord. Sometimes, I want to break away from the vine. This little branch thinks she knows better. That I have a better way to get that fruit. The truth is, away from the vine I will not grow. Actually, I will die. But because of His grace I remain attached to the true vine. He provides everything I need to bear fruit. Real, lasting fruit.

The fruit that Jesus is talking about is spiritual. Eternal. He tells us in John 15:16 that He chose us to bear fruit that will last. Obeying His commands will result in remaining in His love. Joy. Love for each other. Laying down your life for a friend. Friendship with Jesus. (John 15:9-15, NIV) That’s the kind of fruit I want to bear in the little vineyard where He planted me. I can only do that through Him.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (NIV).

Love you all,

Meghan

 

 

 

Obedience

Unqualified

meghanewhite

That’s me. Unqualified. I shouldn’t be writing. That’s for the pro’s. Those with fancy literary degrees. Intellectuals. Or those with natural writing talent, which I don’t have. I am a regular person. Ordinary. I had no writing dreams, until now.

God has placed a dream inside of me to reach people through writing. His people. Kids and grown ups. To tell them there is hope. Some know Him and some don’t yet. So I will write His words to share the message of the hope found in Christ.

God likes to use the unqualified to shine His light. He gets the glory. For me to write, I need Him. I cannot accomplish it on my own ability. With Him, I truly can do all things. All of us are unqualified on our own to do what God has called us to do. The God sized tasks require God.

Willingness is also required. He is looking for those who will go for it and do what He asks, in spite of not being fit for the job. The obedient. Those who say “Yes Lord, I’ll do it”. That’s where He meets you. At the point of your own inability is where He shows up and does remarkable things.

I pray you are encouraged to be used by God, even if  you and I are unqualified. We are the kind of people He’s looking for. He wants to use you. Will you let Him? I know it’s scary. I’m still scared, but I will keep stepping out in faith as he leads me to write. Go for it! Take the first step.

1  Corinthians 1:28-29 “He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (NIV).

Love you all,

Meghan