Did you know that what you say or do today matters into eternity? I am quietly reflecting on what it means to live and speak for Jesus each day where He has placed me. Bloom where you are planted as the saying goes. As I look back, I fondly recall the many seeds that others have planted to nurture me as a follower of Christ. Many more took the time to water what had been sown. What astounds me is how God not only causes our faith to grow, but He oversees every detail of our faith.
He has tended, pruned, upheld, replanted, and truly loved my soul.
The Lord — The Gardener — has planted many other believers around me. This glorious love, hope, and faith of other Christians has strengthened not only me, but it is a fragrant display of God’s beauty and power at work in the lives of His followers. When followers of Christ lean into their Creator and Sustainer for everything, they bloom beautifully bright, become irresistibly intriguing, and cause those around to delight or despise them. They are either an aroma or a stench to others.
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life.
2 Corinthians 2:16 BSB
Enduring Like Jesus
In the day-to-day we can lose sight of what it means to faithfully endure in our faith. Let us consider Jesus who shows us perfectly. He is the pioneer and perfector of our faith, and He endured fierce opposition from sinners and on the cross where every sin on Him was placed. Jesus knew the joy set before Him — returning to His Father, and bringing those He would save into His Presence for eternity. He willingly laid down His life to rescue and redeem us. We are precious to Him. We have this same joy set before us — to be where He is in His presence as holy, treasured, and loved.
We are handpicked by the Gardener to bloom in the house of the Lord forever.
That is why it is so helpful and encouraging to look to the Bible, and to those around us who have followed the Lord, and have persevered in their faith. There is a need in these days to think upon those who have gone before us and persevered in faith and love. Jesus is the ultimate example of this, but I am thankful for the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ He gives us. Not just in Scripture, but in our daily life too.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Strong in the Lord and Strong Together
With thankfulness I give glory to God for the many faithful Christians that have sprung up in my life like a precious gift of flowers. Sometimes there has been a whole field of them, and other times, I have been uplifted by a single flower in a solitary season. But all are magnificent treasures to me.
I remember the student leader who showed me Jesus in the Old Testament for the first time. My eyes opened in wonder to fresh insight into God in all of the Bible.
I give praise to God for letting me spend time with an older woman who spoke honestly about fear of death, even as a Christian, which remarkably made me feel less alone as I faced it afresh years later through cancer. In my zeal as a young Christian who knew that death is defeated, and told her that we don’t need to fear it, I was humbled. It was a pastoral learning point for me. Death still remains ‘the last enemy’ to face. I remembered this conversation and it ministered to me in my suffering. As Psalm 56:3 says, ‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.’ The ‘when’ is remarkably reassuring. God knows our deepest fears. Yet, He continuously calls us to trust in Him.
The Lord also led me to another faithful Christian podcaster who spoke honestly about facing death and her faith in Christ to the end strengthened me. She has now finished her race on earth and stepped into glory, but her words live on as a powerful testimony of God’s work in her life.
I remember the volunteers who led a small after school club called ‘Jesus And Me’ — the JAM club. I had the privilege of thanking the now frail man who used to drive me there. I wanted him to know how I still followed Jesus today. He was gladdened to know that good came from the group. To all volunteers in ministry — what you do matters.
Having a praying mother has done more for me than I will ever know. I am blessed beyond measure to have her and call her my mum.
For every Bible study teacher who has opened the Scriptures and explained the Word to me more accurately — thank you. Your faithfulness to show that God’s Word brings life has sustained this drooping flower more times than I can count.
Bold Christians who spoke the truth of the gospel and held fast at great personal cost has shaped me deeply. Their example keeps me looking to what is most important — the good news of Jesus, His death, resurrection, ascension and the promise that He will come again. Living in light of eternity changes how you live today.
Every mentor who has prayed with me and for me, showing me how to listen well, wait patiently, study deeply, and trust indefinitely — you have shaped me by your faithful presence and honesty.
For every believer who has opened up their home for me, for my family, or who has entered into our life in all its challenges — you have brought light in darkness, comfort in pain, and joy in abundance. Having community is one of God’s special gifts and has shown me the loneliness and isolation so many feel. I want to be more like you. Thank you for loving well and showing up.
The pastors who have ministered faithfully and practiced what they preach — the Lord sees your sacrifice and love. Even when it is hard and exhausting. I will never forget the pastor and his wife who visited on the doorstep when it was lockdown during Covid, and I was on cancer treatment. They brought encouragement, sweets, and flowers. This same pastor always asked how I was doing, showed a genuine interest in my family and writing, listened when I turned up in tears on the doorstep, and gave me books to equip me in my walk.
For the director of a Christian organisation who sat next to me at a conference, looked out for me as I was on my own, and put a book in my hands that would propel me towards home education — thank you. The Lord brings people in at just the right time to encourage, and even as an answer to prayer when we least expect it.
There are so many more stories I could share. There are many hidden people praying for me — what a gift you are.
One day I will see how God, the Gardener of our souls, planted such a beautiful array of flowers for His Kingdom. And I will give Him all glory, honour and praise. We all will — together.
Ruth Clemence 