Hello, Friends –
I hope you are well today. I was recently thinking about life—how we change and develop over time. It’s an awesome journey filled with peaks and valleys. We have good days, bad days, and the best days of our lives! As Christians, we live between heaven and earth, knowing our eternal home is with the Lord. By God’s Spirit, we are always growing into maturity in Jesus Christ . . . a process that, honestly, takes a lifetime—at least for me!
Have you ever stopped to consider how we are much like an onion in the way we develop? I was doing a little research on onions and the similarities we share. There is an abundance of interesting reading online! But, what I found especially interesting is how new layers of the onion are formed from within—with the newest layers being in the core (sprouting from the inner seed). The paper-thin (dehydrated), outer layers of an onion’s bulb, are the oldest. Outer layers will eventually shed, or if left alone, develop into a flower with the right conditions (moisture and sunlight).
One online source answers this question:
“So when does an onion know to stop growing? It stops growing, or producing more layers, when it’s time to form a flower. This means the weather and nutrients have to reach a specific level, for the bulb to mature and actually produce flowers” (foodiosity.com).
As Christians, we are a work in progress. This is really comforting! Psalm 138:8 (The Passion Translation) says it this way:
“You [Lord] keep every promise you’ve ever made to me! Since your love for me is constant and endless, I ask you, Lord, to finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!”
I believe the Lord works within us, as He molds us more and more into the Image of Jesus Christ, much like how an onion grows. New layers form from within. People might not always be able to see immediately how God is changing us, but over time, they come to know the flower that is developing. God, alone, is able to peel back the layers, exposing and cultivating that which needs His Divine attention. Those outer layers, which are no longer needed (old habits, sins, perspectives, etc.), are discarded. When the outer layers are useful, they become a flower and sprout something new. This is a process; it just takes time. Eventually, our “bulbs” mature. And if and when, like the onion, we are cooked, the taste is actually sweet (fructose).
So what is required, My Friends?
We continue our walk with the Lord. Be patient with each other (and with ourselves). Let’s give each other grace to become the person God is making. As God works within us and peels back each layer, He’s working from the inside out. Maturing us! We can trust the Lord to finish every good thing He’s started. For that, we are grateful! Our souls rejoice!!!
Until next time, My Friends,
Selah . . .