As I was working in my new (as in, first effort ever) flower garden, I was thinking of a dear friend who’s Grandfather recently took his first breath in his new heavenly home. Now he was a true gardener. I’m sure a master of all things of which I am a novice. Well, maybe whatever is below a novice. It seems I struggle with outdoor plants. Anything of which I can’t control the elements has to be hardy enough to make it on it’s own. I’m trying though. And as I’m trying, I’m reminded of one of my favorite passages in Holy Scripture.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:18-25

After my efforts this morning, I gave my garden a sprinkle of rain from the garden hose. I also sprinkle the frog pond, just because the dragonflies love it. They dance in and out of the drops, pausing to rest and be refreshed on the tip of my iris leaves. The creation of God I see in my yard reminds me not only of His presence and Authorship, but also what Eden must have been like. No, not me struggling with my plants, but a lush, beautiful, dare I say happy environment in which God Himself walked in the cool of the day. And all of creation is longing for the day when Christ returns to set all things right. As a believer, I’m sure you groan with me at the events we see happening every day, but our hope is not empty or in vain. Hope in Christ will never disappoint. So we eagerly wait for redemption with perseverance.

Persevere here means to maintain your faith through trying times. I would say we are certainly living in trying times and on top of what we see all around us, we deal with job loss, health issues, financial struggles, loneliness…the list is long. But as a believer, we are to persevere.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:1-4

When a flower blooms, I see hope. Every spring when new life begins outside my door, I feel it in my heart. When trouble comes, we need to learn to lean on our Hope. Jesus Christ will never disappoint. Persevere, believer. Stand firm in your faith.

One day I imagine Jesus walking in Mr. Bell’s garden. I pray you know my Jesus and the new life He gives.