I was walking through the neighborhood the other afternoon, enjoying the beautiful spring weather and admiring the blossoms that had burst out everywhere, when I happened to see a small bush with purple flowers.

I stepped closer to inspect the shrub growing in someone’s front yard and the beautiful flowers that emitted an intoxicating aroma.  “What a marvelous plant,” I thought to myself.

A few hours later, I was driving through town and spotted the same plant with the beautiful, purple blooms and it wasn’t nearly the same small bush that I had seen in my neighbor’s yard.  This time it had climbed onto a house and up into some trees, engulfing them in their lavender splendor and powerful aroma.

If you haven’t guessed by now, the plant that I’m speaking about is none other than the wisteria vine which can be shaped into a small bush if kept pruned.  Left to grow without pruning, it is very hardy and grows very quickly. 

I couldn’t help but reflect on the role of Believers in Jesus Christ.  We are present in this world in order to bear witness for Christ.  Paul has a different way of expressing the whole idea in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; “Now he (God) uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.”

As we grow in our faith and as we touch the hearts and lives of others, may we spread the Good News about Christ like a sweet perfume.  In order for us to grow, we are not unlike the wisteria, as it needs to draw nourishment, sunlight, water and oxygen from the environment in order to grow.

As believers, we draw our nourishment from worship, the Bible, prayer, fellowship with other believers, fasting, and celebrating the sacraments, to name a few.  Without proper sustenance, the wisteria wouldn’t grow the way that it should.  We, as Christians, are no different. 

I hope that you plug into a Bible-believing church near you and grow steadily in your faith, so that you might spread the knowledge of Christ like a sweet fragrance through the living of your life in Christ.  May we grow in our love for God and others and may we bring great glory to the name of the Lord.