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Topic: Learning for Life (08/23/04)
TITLE: Natures Classroom By Kevin Jarrell 08/25/04 |
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Jasper, a Jack Russell Terrier mix, is the youngest with Chloe, a Yellow Lab mix, being the oldest. It is a pleasure watching them as they dart across the lawn at top speed and still seem to be aware of every step they take.
As I sit on the porch admiring their agility, I notice the buds on the Angel Trumpets are about to bloom. Mere words can’t begin to describe the beauty and aroma these flowers produce. We have been blessed with the opportunity to witness this spectacular display of nature twice, as they have flowered previously this year.
After a moment of taking in the evening air, my mind begins to race with thoughts dashing around inside like branches of willow trees dancing in a warm summers breeze. I tend to get analytical when this happens, and the thought that takes the spotlight just happens to be the persecution, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I begin to imagine the mindset he must have reached to walk through the streets with a cross on his back as towns’ people shouted, spat and threw objects at him. I imagine the pains shooting through his body as they nailed him to the cross. I begin to see him being placed in the tomb and the boulder being placed over the opening by a few men.
At that moment, I realize God is giving me an education. One word comes to mind. Call it my word for the day so to speak.” PURPOSE”.
Before, I had seen these feats as strength and might. Now, I see that every step Jesus took had its own purpose. Each step gave the next townsman the choice of accepting him for who he is, or casting the next stone leading to his inevitable demise. I see the purpose for which Jesus hung on the cross, refusing to allow God to lift him into the heavens and send his wrath down upon the people.
The final vision for me is seeing the Angels roll back the boulder as if it were a speck of sand and Jesus emerging unscathed. With this new understanding, I realize that living life for God may not always be easy, but look at the rewards that await us all if we only live our lives with purpose.
I guess there is a way to describe Angel Trumpets after all. They are the beauty of a world God has created and once they open their petals, you smell the miraculous aroma of new beginnings in the rebirth of a soul.
Thank you Lord for inviting me into nature’s classroom again.