About a week ago, I planted my first sunflower ever. I had such high hopes for that plant. I thought it would be such fun & exciting to watch it grow to new heights. I even took pictures & blogged about it my excitement was so high.
This morning I looked out & my hopes had been dashed. This is what I saw….
A bunny had come to “feast” on my plant. But I am not going to refer to said trespasser as a bunny. That brings to my mind something cute & adorable. No, I am going to call said trespasser, the varmint. A varmint is a troublesome animal & yes, it was troubling to me today!! It is considered undesirable, and it was to me; a pest (yes!!! it was to me!!!!) & obnoxious (and yes, it was obnoxious to eat something that I had such high hopes for). So, a varmint it is. And that is when it hit me….
God also has high hopes for our lives. He so desires to see us grow to our full potential, fulfilling His purposes for our lives. He anticipates our growth much the same way I was anticipating the growth of my sunflower. This verse came to mind….
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Songs 2:15).Â
I have to guard my heart much the same way my sunflower needs guarding. As a matter of fact, I have already moved my plant to a safe spot where it cannot be enjoyed any longer by the said varmint!!!
Notice in that verse the vineyards that are ruined are those that are already in bloom. May we be careful even while in the midst of being productive for our God that we do not let anything enter our lives that would rob us of what God has for us.
Notice also that they are “little” foxes. So often we look at the bigger obstacles or circumstances in our lives. But what about the little annoyances? Those can eat away at us & shift us off of our focus so easily. Those little foxes are anything, ANYTHING, that would hinder us from blossoming into our full potential. Today I am aware that it can be fear, anxiety, jealousy, or nit picking. We would be wise not to let those “little foxes” into our garden to begin with. But if they are there already, may we be courageous to remove them. That will take deliberate action on our part. May we keep our eyes open each & every day. May we remove what needs to be put out & say……
                
