Gardening With Purpose
The day I set my 15-year-old eyes on it, it nearly took my breath away. My mind never conceived a place like this existed.
For the entire tour I was silent, which was rare for me in that stage of life. I marveled at the ceilings. Every square inch of the Palace of Versailles had been attended to with incredible detail.
The throbbing in my neck reminded me of how long I stared upwards. I didn’t think it could get any better . . . until we stepped outside.
The view before me was as if nature itself had been bent into the form of the gardener’s command: acres of pools and fountains; trees and elaborate flower gardens. Nothing in my small-town brain had ever perceived such marvelous beauty.
And to think this was the home of King Louis XIV, for many of his years . . . . How can one human be deserving of such splendor?
Imagine being a painter, sculptor, or gardener with a king for your patron. What kind of work would you create?
Yeshua (Jesus’ Hebrew name) fulfilled Isaiah 53’s prophecy of the suffering servant. The High Priest of men redeemed sinners from spiritual death with His own spotless blood. Scripture reminds us that He is not just a priest in the line of Melchizedek (Psalm 110) but also the King of Heaven (Daniel 7:13-14), who is returning.
Yeshua tells His disciples what those days will look like just before He returns. He uses the illustration of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32, 33; Mark 13:28, 29) to remind us that when we see certain things happening, it is time for us to look upward . . . for our redemption draws near. Then we will stand before the King of Kings.
What have we done with the redeeming gift of spiritual life He has offered?
Many have built their entire lives on a temporary foundation. Their life’s work will remain here on earth where it will rust, rot, and eventually become a relic. Like King Louis XIV, their wealth will be passed on to others while they will stand before a Holy God.
How did they respond to His Son’s sacrifice for their sins? Does He know them personally?
His gift of life to them will be examined; the righteous Judge will determine perfect judgment.
Others have built their lives on a firm foundation. Their personal relationship with God began the day they received by faith the gift of forgiveness through Messiah’s sacrifice. Their gift of new life is not based on their own merit, but they live in response to that great gift. forgiveness through Messiah’s sacrifice. Their gift of new life is not based on their own merit, but they live in response to that great gift:
They cultivate a heart that would marvel any lush Versailles garden.
They live as “passerbys” and not permanent residents.
They invest their time, talent and treasure into His Kingdom.
They have spiritual eyes for eternal things: human souls, the Word of God, faith, God’s glory
They work daily in that “spiritual garden,” toiling and planting permanent, beautiful and unique features.
Those who have built their lives on this firm foundation may leave this world without a penny to their name. But the King of Heaven will survey their work. (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-17.)
He will marvel at every painstaking detail, examine the quality, and turn in delight and say, “Well done!”
Written by Kori, LIFE Staff