"Rose of Sharon"
Rose of Sharon
(picture taken at the Lord's Nursery)
Rose of Sharon
I was reading a friends beautiful blog the other day, and I thought this is something I need to respond to, because it was so pertinent, and really hit home for me. The title of the blog was
"Hell in the Hallway" by Cathee Poulsen.
She graciously outlines the common mistakes we all make when we are waiting on a decision from God. Don't we all have a hallway experience in some part of our life? I know I do! Some of the examples she used was waiting for the job you had hoped for, a repaired relationship, a call from the doctor, and the check is in the mail! Expectations, dreaming about another time and place and wanting to take care of our dilemma ourselves, often leaves us empty, in essence, "Hell in the Hallway."
So what does all this have to do with the picture of the Hibiscus or the Rose of Sharon? As I typed into the search engine the symbol and meaning of the Hibiscus flower, this is what popped up as the meaning. Dating to the Victorian era, when flowers adorned clothing, stationery, wallpaper, hats, china and jewelry, the hibiscus means "delicate beauty," relating to the sunny and delicate conditions under which it will bloom and to the fragility and beauty of its flower. Today, "delicate beauty" is the common meaning of the hibiscus when used in flower arrangements or given as a gift. In North America it is commonly known as the "rose of Sharon" and symbolizes the "perfect bride": fruitful, of beauty and one with God.
So, really what are we waiting for? Is it the next check in the mail? That new job? The restoration of a relationship? Or are we waiting for our bride groom, because doesn't God consider us as His "perfect bride"? Does not God see us as His delicate beauty, fragile and beautiful? Does this truth challenge your faith and focus?
When we concentrate on the flesh, our"feelings" then life often becomes a living hell, we can drown in them "feelings", in our circumstances. (God's word says we can do nothing without Him, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us - Philippians 4:13). If our focus is on God, our bride groom, the things on earth become strangely deem in the light of His glory and grace. If we don't communicate with Him, we so easily forget through trials and tribulations what the purpose of waiting is really all about. What are we really waiting for? I know God is waiting on me and He is waiting on you to see Him for who He really is! Do you want to focus on the mess, or the miracle? Do you want to stand in the hallway, or open the door? Mathew 7:7, Revelations 3:20. Maybe we should start getting busy while in the hallway, knocking on the door and believe what He tells us to be true. God bless each one reading this blog. My hope is to uplift and encourage you on your own journey.
Isaiah 61:12 - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, (hibiscus -today) and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
by Pam Jessiman
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