His glory makes us Flourish
This week we had the amazing opportunity of working with The Salvation Army Western Territory’s Women Ministry. And without noticing, I had the chance to work and immerse myself in a beautiful spiritual journey.
When I got here to Asilomar State Beach, I was surprised by the different landscapes. As a Floridian and Venezuelan, I usually prefer more tropical vegetation. However, here there is another type of flora than in Florida. The big trees are peculiar; I noticed how most of them grow inclined to one side, maybe seeking light. I also noticed that half of the tree might be “naked”; it looks like winter amid summer. You see most of the tree branches are exposed while the other part thrives.
I don’t know much about plants and vegetation, but I attribute all this to the coastal Mediterranean climate of the area.
As the days passed, I became observant of the area and started to find beauty in what was once foreign and unattractive. I was praying and worshiping during Saturday’s morning session, and all the images of the trees and landscape got a different meaning.
I could extrapolate and elevate the significance and symbolism of the place. And I said, “This place is meant to experience His glory.” I remembered how God has a particular attraction for desolated and dry lands. Those trees inclined to one side, seeking to absorb every ounce of light, were teaching me the very essence of worship: worship is a matter of heart posture. That was the central theme He wanted to introduce to His people in the desert, and they completely missed it.
I don’t want to miss God’s glory because I’m self-absorbed by my circumstances. I don't want to miss how He wants to reveal Himself in this season because I’m so afraid of losing control.
As we prevail against darkness, changes in climate, and obstacles, we must incline ourselves to seek His glory. As we grow in our faith and worship, our posture might change. We have to decide whether we become weary or bitter or become worshipers in spirit and truth. So, I must CHOOSE to delight in Him every season of my life.
Those half-naked and half-flourished trees were a reflection of my own life. Areas I have overcome by His grace, but some areas need His work as my Gardener. But above all that, I’m His! My naked, dry, and lifeless branches are HIS as much as my green and full of splendor ones. Yes, I’m His!
It has nothing to do with me, but it’s all about Him. This retreat reminded me of the importance of accepting and embracing the beauty of every season. No matter what season we are in, we must become a seeker of His glory. God’s redemptive purpose for every season is to find His Glory.
We might not consider ourselves as flouring trees. But then I remember about the burning bush. The bush itself was most likely some kind of bramble or thorn bush, So why did God choose to appear inside thorns at this dreadful tree and call the place Holy?—this serves only to remind us amid thorns, deliverance is promised. It was not about the tree but the redemptive nature of God working in us. His glory is what makes us Flourish.
The raw material of the tabernacle is Acacia wood (Exodus 26:29), a small tree or bush whose branches are covered with long thorns. God then directs Moses to cover this thorn wood with gold (Exodus 26:29), representing His Glory. Once again, I understood that the purpose of every season, as we seek His glory, is for our hearts to become holy ground.
He can do so much with what looks to us as dry and dead!
Our flourishing doesn’t depend on our state but rather God’s grace and redemption. What freedom we find in seeking God’s glory!
I don’t want to finish this post without thanking Lt. Colonel Donna Igleheart and the USW Women’s Ministries Department for the opportunity to be partners in ministry.
