The Gift of Renewal

By Karina Hall

Orange County, California (USA)

Scriptures:

• John 3:16
• Ephesians 2:4-5
• John 15:1,5,8
• Psalm 84
• Joel 2:23-24

Some have green thumbs. Others like me have been cursed with The Black Thumb. (Cue spooky music.) Give me a plant and in time I'll show you a pot of dirt looking as dry as the Sahara Desert. I talked with a neighbor about it once while she was out showing off her Gardener Extraordinaire powers, and she simply said, "You'll be good when you get older." I chuckled and continued my walk, not thinking much more about it.

Today, as I reflect on her words, I realize there is a lot to learn from her seemingly inconsequential comment. The truth is that most of the reasons I can't keep anything alive is that I don't have the patience, nor the serious desire to do so.  I don't make the necessary effort needed to nourish and care for the plants under my care. I forget to water them. I don't give them enough sunlight. I don't add new soil. My neighbor's theory that I would have a green thumb when I got older reflected her belief that when I got older, I would have the patience and willingness to prioritize caring for plants.

So what does this have to do with God's gifts, or God's gift of renewal? God does not have The Black Thumb. (Cue spooky music again.)  God offers us the gift of renewal, growth and resurrection today and always. He does have the patience, and perhaps best of all, the passion to nourish and care for our souls. It is the reason He sent His Son Jesus to walk this earth, show us the way, die, and resurrect.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…
John 3:16

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—
it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit…
John 15:1, 5, 8

Even when we feel like we are rooted in a desert wasteland, we can be assured that God has not forgotten about us like I forget my plants. In a sweet story about friendship, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, the mole tells the boy, “The greatest illusion…is that life should be perfect.” Truth! Life isn't perfect. It's not supposed to be.

In our journey of faith, we are sure to face struggles, challenges and temptations. At times the pressure can feel unbearable and suffocating. Even so, God does not neglect to care for us. It's in this space that God does His best work in us. God is powerful and can provide what we need. His love for us demands He give us the care we long for.  He is sovereign and knows the exact right timing. Life isn’t perfect, but we have a God who is.

In Psalm 84, the psalmist speaks of a journey–a pilgrimage–to the temple.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:5-7

The word Baka is also the Hebrew word for "weeping." We are bound to pass through our own valleys of weeping and sorrow, but when we find strength in God we can actually make those dry valleys places of renewal, restoration, and refreshment. After a strenuous, damaging summer heat, the autumn rains bring relief and protection. This is what God does for us spiritually. God provides us with the autumn rains essential to resisting the potentially damaging effects of summer heat. He offers peace, love, comfort, forgiveness, hope, and joy where there was once loneliness, desperation, grief, anxiety, sin, and frustration. We need only to set our hearts on moving toward Him and drawing near to Him. As we pursue God, He offers us the gift of renewal.  

Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
Joel 2:23-24

In a world of plants and flowers, God wants us to be like Autumn Joys. In extreme heat the Autumn Joy plant can appear wilted and scraggly. (Why does that sound like how I feel in the morning?) But the Autumn Joy is a tough plant and after some TLC from the Lord, cooler weather and autumn rains, the Autumn Joy is renewed, looking as vibrant and beautiful as ever. Let’s be an Autumn Joy!

Autumn Joy

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what ways have you previously experienced the gift of renewal? 

2. How does the coming of Jesus give you hope for renewal? 

3. How can God use the current or previous challenges in your life to renew your faith? Joy? Convictions? Love? 

4. What can you do to find strength in God this season and appear before Him in worship?

Today I will:

Today, ask God to give you the strength needed to experience renewal. Share with a friend something that you need to leave behind in order to be an Autumn Joy.

About the Author:

Karina Hall is a women's ministry leader based in Orange County, California. Married for 19 years and a mother to three wonderfully crazy kids, she has the most fun when she’s spending time with family. Karina finds joy in the “Aha!” moments while reading her Bible and is passionate about empowering other women to find their worth in God. As a hobby, she writes about her experiences and insights on her blog, www.kariincali.com. When she's not leading ministry activities or blogging, you can find her enjoying the California sunshine with a tea latte in hand or immersing herself in the magic of books and musicals.