Wednesday 05 December 2007

Background

In the last week of his life, Jesus warns his disciples thatthere will be not only trying times, but there will also be thosewho would actively seek to lead people the wrong way, who would befalse to the teachings of Christ and who spiritually steal and mugthose who were seeking the truth. The wilderness was a place ofbandits and we will not have to look for Christ hiding away. WhenChrist comes again it will be perfectly obvious and the whole worldwill know.

In my garden I have a variety of plants - a fig tree and olive treeand plants from Asia, America and the Southern hemisphere. Althoughspring comes at different times in those continents, they allmanage to respond to the British spring at the same time. Whilstthere may be a few days between the leaves arriving, theyessentially come into leaf or start the cycle for fruit at theright time. They retain the characteristics and essential nature ofa Mediterranean or Asian tree; they don't suddenly take on theappearance of my classic British plants. I often think how boringmy garden would be without this variety.

We all have our seasons and we all bear fruit or flowers. We allhave our place in the garden. The lesson I have learned from avariety of plants is the need to locate them in the right place,feed them the right food and wait for my little piece of the worldto fulfil its promise. I have only one olive this year, but thatmakes it all the more special.

To Ponder

What are your false prophets?

Where are you looking to see Christ?