Devotion #3: Are You a Wilted Flower?

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 

Imagine if a tulip was gifted with free will and allowed to do whatever it desired to do. The tulip could decide when it was time to eat, sleep, wake up, and how to spend its day. The tulip could also make decisions based on how it felt that morning. For instance, if it woke up groggy, it could easily roll over and go back to sleep. Soon, the tulip may fall into a rhythm of staying in bed every day without even realizing it. If the tulip is not careful, it will begin to wilt because of its lack of sunlight. Without the proper discipline and discernment, the tulip could get really sick and quite possibly die. 

Or, it could go another way. If the tulip knows what is best for itself and has the discipline to get out of bed every morning, spend time with the Sun, and properly get the nourishment that it needs, then it will transform into its best self. The tulip has the knowledge and the heart to know that it cannot go on alone, it has to rely on the Sun in order to survive. 

If you have not realized already, we are all the tulip, and unlike a real tulip, we have all been gifted with free will. It is an amazing gift to have, but it is a scary one, too. In this life, we need to remember that we were not made for our selfish intentions or desires, but rather, we were created with a purpose. We have to be so careful with how we spend our time in this world because how we spend our time will reflect the actions of our hearts. If we are to be “a living sacrifice” to the Lord, then we need to make sure we are on the right path. It needs to be the path that leads us to the Lord and not to our own selfish desires. It is the path that leads to His needs and not our own. Jesus says there are two roads to follow, and He warns us about the one that leads to destruction. 

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” 

We have been gifted with a warning which gives us the wisdom to discern our paths. So, today, you need to evaluate yourself. Do you find yourself on the narrow or wide road? Are you beginning to wilt? You need to identify the things you have put before the Lord and offer them up as a sacrifice to Him. Start looking at the way you think, act, behave, and treat others. Are you God-honoring or self-honoring? 

If you do not know how to properly evaluate yourself, the Bible tells us to run to God. Psalm 139:23-24 is a verse I always run to when I want to make sure I do not fall. It says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Ask the Lord to help you see what you need to see, and He will make it clear to you. Lean on Him in everything. Remember that you are to be a living sacrifice for Him. Always put Him first and never yourself. Do not become a wilted flower. Lean on Him today.