I love flowers and gardening.  In fact I just love nature all together.  It helps remind me of the fascinating world God has orchestrated.  How He made the bees to distribute pollen to help the flowers and trees find new population.  How the rain nourishes the crops, and the crops in return sustain our bodies. The cycle of life goes on and on, and is far too numerous to name.  However, today I would like to concentrate on a specific flower, the hydrangea.  These flowers can come in different colors, however, many people do not realize you can influence the color of the plant.  Based on the pH of the soil the plant can take on different colors.  If the soil is more acidic you get deep blue/silver colors.  The more alkaline the soil the pinker the flowers. "Hydrangea blue" is not a hue that belongs to any other thing in the world.  It is a breathe taking silver, blue that radiates its beauty in every scene of nature. 

So how would one go about making this flower blossom into this beautiful color- actually it is as simple as coffee grounds. By simply putting small amounts of coffee grounds (or other organic material) into the soil. As the material decomposes, the organic materials will add aluminum to the soil (making it more acidic).  This process will not take place over night, but slowly the changes will start to occur.  The plants then slowly start to show signs of the new brilliant color.  Finally, over time they will be transformed into the "Hydrangea blue" you were awaiting.

Now that you have had your science lesson I guess the question is how is this relevant? Well I am glad you asked.  Christians are so much like the hydrangea concerning the spiritual walk.  You can be influenced greatly by the things that are around you, whether it be positive or negative.  What soil are you growing in today?  Is it one of negativity and despair, or one of gratitude and thankfulness.  What nutrients are you feeding your soul? Is it the word of God that is infallible and Holy, or the truth the world would have you believe?  Everyday is a chance to build yourself up to grow the way God intended you to, but there is also an equal opportunity to flounder in the twist and turns of life. You must be willing to continually feed on the Word of God, and put it into action in your life.  You see if the coffee grounds sat on the shelf beside the the plant, they would have zero effect on it's color, but when mixed in the soil they begin to produce beautiful results.  The same is true about God'S Word. Its not enough to read or hear God's word, it has to be poured into every nook and cranny of your life. You have to be submissive to God in every facet. Certain areas cannot be boxed off, but have to be willing to die to self, in order to allow an amazing transformation. I encourage you today to look at what is being poured into your life. Then figure out what is producing deep change, and what needs to be thrown away. Only allow those things which deeply grow your character and love for others to remain.  

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Philippians 4:8 whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

​As I was watering my flowers, I had some that were less than dazzling. I thought what could be wrong? They were new flowers, and I had watered them everyday. I had put new, thick pine straw down to keep the weeds out. As I was thinking it came to me,  I might not be watering them long enough. The thick bedding of pine straw could be keeping the water from penetrating the ground and soaking deeply into the roots. 
The Lord spoke to me through that observation. We can’t just do a verse a day to keep the devil a way kind of thing. In order for God’s word to penetrate deeply into our hearts, and actually change our actions, we have to spend significant time in prayer and the Word.  You see when I was watering the plants it was surface water only. It would probably be enough to keep the flower alive, but definitely not enough to make them thrive. Sometimes we are guilty of surface religion. We come into church say and do the right things, listen to the pastor, maybe even give our money, but the whole time our heart is buried under thick layers of pride, sin, and apathy.  God’s Word is not leaving a seared mark on our heart because it never reached those depths. When we really allow God to penetrate our heart it is extremely painful at times, because it forces us to look inside ourselves.  It reminds me of the verse “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  The Lord  longs for His children to dig deep into His word, allowing deep roots and a thriving spirit to unfold.
Are you spending enough time with the Father? Are you allowing His Word to penetrate so deeply that you cannot act in any other way? Maybe you have acted in a way not profitable to the kingdom, but because you are so rooted God would not let go of your heart until you made it right. This is a true, healthy, abiding relationship with the Father. Allow your roots to be refreshed and renewed today by diving into the refreshing pool of the Word.