"Fragrance of a Rose"
- Rita Larson
- May 17, 2023
- 3 min read
Flowers have to be one of my favorite things and roses are at the top of the list. I have a rose garden and just love watching them progress from a bud into a glorious fragrant flower, each one unique and special in its own way. Every leaf and every petal are part of God's creation and workmanship, just as each and every one of us are! Each of us, with our own uniqueness and beauty, are created in the very image of our Father!
Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible love Christ has for us? The analogy of His love being like a fragrant flower in full bloom is one that has been used throughout the ages. In the Book of Solomon, we read about a love story between a young woman and her beloved. Despite her physical beauty, it was the fragrance and beauty of her life that was changed by his love for her which in return caused her love for him to bloom.
In the same way, God’s love has the power to transform us and bring forth a beauty and fragrance within us that is not our own. As Solomon 2:1-2 says, “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.” When we accept Christ and allow His love to change us, our lives become a reflection of His beauty. As we being to walk in HIs image, we will stand out! We will have a beautiful fragrance and be a beacon of hope to others.
But what does it mean to truly accept His love? Jesus said in Luke 12:27-28, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” In other words, even the most beautiful and powerful among us fail to compare to the beauty and grace of God’s love. Jesus was saying that even the lilies do not labor, their beauty is a natural beauty. They do not have to work to earn their beauty. We do not have to do anything to "earn" the love of the Father. It is imparted within us and freely given. When we turn our hearts to Him, He is already there, waiting for us, loving us, covering us, and protecting us with all of His Glory!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:29, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” When we put the kingdom of God first and make it a priority, a beautiful fragrance of His love will arise from us. Isaiah 35:1-2 says, “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice.” God’s love is so powerful that it can transform even the most barren wasteland into a beautiful garden of roses. So, what does this mean for you? Are you open to God’s love and allowing it to change you? Are you willing to accept His love and allow it to bring forth a fragrance and beauty within you? ©Rita Larson 5/17/2023
Song of The Day (Disclosure-this video is graphic. I started to use a different one but, this is reality. Jesus was brutally punished for our transgressions. God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, sacrificing Him on our behalf so that we may have life. It is up to us to make the choice to draw near to our Father. He knocks patiently, it is up to us to open the door!)
Love this! And the song!