JUST ONE NIGHT
the domino cactus
On Monday morning this past week I noticed that 2 flower buds on my domino cactus at work were starting to elongate from the side of the plant. They weren’t super large (only about 1½ inches) but experience told me they grow quick, and they did! By Friday morning that same week the buds were large and they were now on stems that had grown about 6 inches long in just 5 days! The buds were starting to loosen and I told one of my co-workers that they would almost certainly open over the weekend, while we were out of the office. Maybe that’s not a big deal on most plants, but this little cactus typically blooms at night and the flowers only last for a few hours. By the end of the weekend there would be nothing left.
So, I brought it home for the weekend, put it in the garage (my wife’s excellent suggestion, so that the cats wouldn’t eat the flower buds), and went to bed. On Sabbath morning I awakened to 2 incredible flowers. All that effort, for flowers that bloom only at night, and which last for just a brief time!
In Matthew 6:28-33, Jesus tells His listeners “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
If God can take care of so humble a cactus plant and cause it to produce such beauty, how much more can He do with me and you if we allow Him? Not only does He provide the necessities of life when we seek His kingdom and righteousness, but He will also cause us to grow and bloom.
We live in a world that is dark like the night … war, hatred, abuse, poverty, racism, greed, to name just a few. God is ready, willing and able to make you and me bloom like the cactus so that we are lights for Him in this sin-filled planet. Jesus said “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Take a moment now to ask Him to use you as a bright light in a dark world. If you’ve never given your life to Jesus there is no better time than this very minute! Just tell Him right now that you’re tired of darkness and evil and that you want Him to show you a better way. He will always answer that request!
If you are in the Clermont, Florida area please join us in worshiping our incredible God and learning how to grow as lights in the darkness. Jesus loves you!