“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” Ephesians 5:25-26
“They’re WILTING – OH NOOO!” Looking out the glass doors, I saw what Katie was seeing… and saying. She had wanted butterflies, so I bought her milkweed. Placing the plants where she could SEE the butterflies left the plants under the hot afternoon sun… which was drying them out fast! It was a problem we’ve had before, but last year’s solution was not working now!
When wilting happened last year, I built a sun filtering screen above the milkweed so it wouldn’t dry out. Which worked! The butterflies last year already knew where the milkweed was, so flying under the screen was not a problem. The new butterflies this year weren’t seeming to find easy access to the plants, so we weren’t seeing many of them. Experimenting, I moved the plants out from under the screen. The butterflies came, but the milkweed wilted! So I repositioned the screen.
Watering plants twice a day isn’t impossible, when we’re home to baby it. But we aren’t always around. Milkweed attracts butterflies that lay their eggs on the leaves, which grow into caterpillars, eventually ‘morphing’ into more butterflies. Keeping the plants watered is critical. Plans to keep them watered, when we are away, are critical for the life of the butterflies. Just like humans!
The verse today is similar! Sin, and the effects of it, can wilt and kill the life in me that Jesus loves. Though He paid my price for sin, I STILL have the need to be watered and cared for. And He does that PERSONALLY though His Word. The Bible is my SON-screen… His Word, a filter for everything that comes into my life. It is MY responsibility to seek His direction and will by DRINKING IN His Word!
Jesus’ love led him to sacrifice Himself for His Bride… The Church! Knowing the Scripture makes that clear. But I cut the first part of the verse off… on purpose! The verse STARTS with “Husbands love your wives like…!” Hmmmm….! That He gave His ‘promised purpose’ AFTER giving ‘the command,’ makes clear what HE expects from ME! So BEFORE any heat rises, I’m going to The Word – FIRST!!
Are YOU spending time DAILY… bathing, drinking and being protected by the Water of Jesus’ Word?
