So... I have this plant here at home that is dying one day at a time. I'm sure you've all seen this sequence; the leaves are doing the falling off thing and no amount of talking to or watering of will fix its demise. This plant is bound for the circular file.
But wait! I have a plan! I have a place to take this plant that will miraculously nurture it back to life. Really! For some unknown reason, my office at the church gives most plants just the right circumstances; plenty of sun, plenty of water, plenty of tending. My plants there are lush and full of life. They give off oxygen! They make more plants! Even my orchids rebloom! It smells good in there - like fresh air and flowers. My plants do everything they are supposed to do as a plant! I'm not kidding! My church office is a plant hospital.
It has occurred to me that that's a picture of what the church is supposed to be: a people's hospital. So many people are not flourishing. They are going downhill day by day and everything they've tried does not help. They need some Son and some tender tending. They need to be fed and nourished by someone who cares. Then they too can be full of life and accomplish the plans God has purposed for them to do. They will even give off the aroma of Christ and overflow onto others. They will have real joy and real satisfaction. Again.... I'm not kidding! Our churches are people hospitals!
So if you're in a church already, let go of those spots of deadness, drink in the Son-shine offered, overflow onto everyone around you and be thankful. And if you're not in a church, find one that will point you in the direction of the Son. Be tenderly tended. Drink in Truth and healing. Become what you were meant to be.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
