Living the Unexpected
Our backyard in the Dominican Republic is gorgeous. The woman we rent the house from loves her yard and has spent years choosing and planting specific plants. We have lived in this house for 10 months, and there are still days that I walk outside and see something new - the unexpected.
A few weeks ago, I walked outside and headed towards the hammocks. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw this beautiful flower. It is the first time I have seen this flower and it was growing amongst the green plants. It was the only one. It was perfect and bright. The fragility and beauty of this flower among the lush greenness spoke to my heart.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of it because it was just so very unexpected. I ran inside and grabbed my phone just take a picture of this hidden gem because I knew it was God’s kindness - I just didn't know how.
The image of this flower rests in the forefront of my mind, and I am reminded of how my heart felt in that moment. The past two months, I have felt a little fragile myself. I stood knee deep in self doubt and questioned my actions, my character, and my perception of events and relationships. I felt alone in the midst of all of the thriving around me.
The flower was living and thriving in the Dominican heat. The flower stood out amongst the green lushness because it was different. The flower reminded me that our Creator has the most amazing imagination and His attention to detail is unfathomable.
We all have the opportunity to be that flower. The unexpected beauty full of hope living amongst the green.
My deepest desire is to be a shining light for Jesus. I hope that when I am with others (in person and online) they see a glimpse of the Jesus I love. I firmly believe that one way we glorify God is when our lives demonstrate the hope we have because of Jesus. I could continue to stand in the muck of loneliness and self doubt OR I could hold onto the truth that the Creator has a plan for me. He pays attention to the details of my life and He is directing my path. I can choose to jump back on the path He has set before me, or I can stand in the muck. It is ultimately my choice.
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. ”
The spiral into self doubt completely caught me off guard. In so many ways it silenced my voice - the words no longer came to mind. But this flower reminded me that God sees me and although I feel alone and misunderstood, He is with me and knows my heart.
“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” ”
I choose to be the beautiful flower among the green plants.
I choose living the unexpected.
Living the unexpected life starts with me. And so I climb out of the muck, hop back on His path, and begin to live with purpose and for a purpose.