Friday, October 29, 2021
I pray all is well with you as you enter the last weekend of October 2021! It’s amazing that Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon, and soon we will see the lights all around—reminding us of the Light of Jesus Christ and our need for our Savior!
Greetings, Dear Friends –
I would like to share with you today on the topic, “Lessons from the Elephant Ear.” And, no, I’m not referring to the actual elephant—but the plant!
Elephant Ears are large, tropical plants with very impressive leaves. There are several species within three genera: Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma; the most common is Colocasia esculenta, which I have in our home. My mother gave me one a few years ago. I took pictures of it when it was very small, and placed it in the best location (at least to me) for optimal growth. It grew at such a rapid speed, and I marveled as it continued to get larger.
It now stands about six feet tall, which is over my head; and has leaves that are two feet tall and 1½ feet wide! It is a perennial, so I always look forward to its new growth year over year. That being said, I want to address three areas that affect its growth: light, soil, and water. Of course, there are other factors such as humidity, temperature, fertilizing, etc., but I will focus on the former.
Elephant ears require sunlight—and just the right amount for its species (as many plants do). They need the sunlight but prefer partial shade; soil that is rich and moist; and need enough water to keep them consistently moist. Sometimes, it is challenging to get things exactly right for this special plant of mine. My efforts might be fruitful on some occasions, and on others, not so much.
At times, trial and error help us to reach the right combination in order to create the ideal environment. We know this is true with us as well. Try as we might, our plans are not always successful. We take the basic instructions (as we understand them), and set out on the path that God has for us. The way that we think will work, can feel like we are grasping at straws. However, I believe that even when we do not get things exactly right, our Lord God still causes everything to come into alignment according to His plan so that, in the end, it works together for our good.
I was recently talking with someone that had worked very hard to accomplish an important task. They invested hours and hours of time, only to find out it was not quite enough. They began to feel as if they did not and would not ever measure up—that they were not good enough. Have you ever been there? Many of us might feel this way. We might wonder why try so hard if we will not be successful, if our efforts will not pay off or if we will never get the credit that we deserve.
Yet, our God is still faithful. He understands when we feel inadequate—when we feel like giving up. What makes matters worse? Comparing ourselves to other people’s accomplishments when God made us uniquely His own. Social media can make some feel like their lives pale in comparison to all of the happy people everywhere! But these are just moments in time, and are not real.
Just as the elephant ear requires the right combination of light, soil, and water, so do we need the right environment, support, and other resources to grow to our maximum potential. And you know what else? I believe the Lord reminds us in His Word that we are “. . . fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139, NIV). We just need to believe what God’s Word has already said.
Let’s be encouraged to remain planted in the Word of God, led by His Divine Spirit, and purposed to do His will.
May God grow us to the heights, depths, and altitudes that He desires us to be. May He bless you and make your way fruitful. May you take heart and believe in the you God is creating. May the Holy Spirit pray for you when you do not know what to say; and may the Lord nourish your soul all the days of your life.
Until next time, My Friend,
Selah
These are words to ponder and be inspired by, a reminder that we are not traveling alone.