FLOWERS FOR JESUS
My wife Linda loves receiving flowers from me. Suppose tomorrow I walk through the door with a bouquet of roses. As I hand them to her, in a business-like tone, I state, “Linda, years ago we entered into a marriage covenant. As such, I recognize my obligation to purchase gifts for you periodically. Henceforth, I shall bring you flowers every six weeks, thus fulfilling my contractual obligation.” Guess what’s going to happen? She’ll probably throw the roses back in my face!
Let’s try a different approach. “Linda, I love you so much! Driving home, I noticed someone selling roses. I couldn’t help myself. I pulled over, and bought these for you. They’re a small token of how deeply I love and cherish you.” Suppose I’ll get a different reaction? Why? Either way she got flowers. Flowers aren’t really what Linda wants. She desires to know that I love her, and flowers are a great way for me to show it.
Let’s think about that with Jesus. Sometimes we offer him “flowers” out of duty. “Here Jesus. I’ve read my Bible, prayed, and even set up chairs for the church potluck. I’ve done my duty.” Is that really what Jesus wants—just for us to do a bunch of stuff for him? No!
How about a different approach? “Jesus, I’m overwhelmed with love and gratitude for all you’ve done for me. I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life serving you.” That’s what Jesus longs for, and those are the flowers that put a smile on his face.
In Revelation 2:2-3, Jesus praises the Ephesian church for all the stuff they’ve done for him. Then in verse four he adds, “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning” (TPT). Jesus doesn’t want our stuff. He wants us!
Here’s a thought to chew on. Jesus doesn’t want something FROM us, because we don’t have anything he needs. Instead, he wants something FOR us. An invitation to experience intimacy with him, flowing from a heart filled with love and gratitude.
Jesus loves getting flowers from us. Not the dried-up flowers of religious duty. Like Linda, the fresh, living flowers arising from a heart of love. Maybe I should go buy Linda some flowers.
Principle: Jesus doesn’t desire religious duty from us. He desires a heart of love.
Ponder:
How can I pursue developing a deeper sense of love and gratitude for Jesus?
Each day this week, take five minutes and meditate on the love of Jesus, and all you’re grateful for.
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study John 15:1-13.
Prayer: “Jesus, I love you so much! Thank you for all the ways you love me. Fill my heart with a deeper sense of love and gratitude for you.”
For other articles, please check out my website, BarneyCargile.com
Also, check out my books on Amazon, “Thriving in Quarantine” and “Thriving in Troubled Times.”