Transformation
Dear ones,
Today, I offer you a white rose. Unopened. Painted over a hurriedly sketched black background, it stands in demure but clear contrast to the darkness. The fully pregnant rosebud holds promise. The veined leaves celebrate life.
White represents holiness and purity, as the Son of God clothes His bride in the wedding gown of His righteousness. He took her filthy rags upon Himself and exchanged them for His absolute purity. By her faith in Him and His shed blood for her, she becomes His white rose, unopened, unadulterated, pure and holy, and full of potential and promise. As each petal opens beneath His love, it will reveal what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man, things which His Father has prepared for those who love Him (see 1Cor 2:9).
The darkness surrounding the rose only makes His righteousness given to her stand in contrast to the lies, deceptions, wickedness, and destruction around her. Like a light in the darkness, she reveals who He is, bringing glory to the Triune God.
This rose embodies righteousness unearned, holiness unfathomed, and purity unattainable by human effort. He designed and created her for His glory and for eternity.
His fragrance wafts around her, and she whispers, Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do. Breathe on me Breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure (Edwin Hatch 1878).
Creator whispers back, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Eze 36:26). Oh, what comfort to know He transforms this rose from what she was into what she will be. His work, strength, and love accomplish what we cannot even imagine, much less do in our strength.
It was, On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, that Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jhn 20:19-22).
Each delicately folded petal holds a promise to be revealed and celebrated for all eternity. So may this rosebud remind us to wait patiently until He comes for His own and transforms a black and white painting into living color for eternity.
So, I needed to paint another rose—a glorious rose in full color as we shall become, multiplying in beauty and reproducing in number. Not an easy task that fell far short of “glorious.” In fact, after many hours of trying to paint the perfect, glorious rose, I gave up in defeat. Even my human determination could not win this time. So, I finished it up on a computer paint program and called it good. Just another redeemable lesson to remind me that all the self-effort in the world can never truly transform us. Only a miracle and the grace of God can make us new.
Nevertheless, you get the message as Paul tells us, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom 12:1-2).
Each word in the preceding scripture begs us to embrace its powerful significance in our lives. God intends to move us from a black and white existence into a full-bodied relationship with Himself. He says, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (Jn 14:1-3).
Rejoice with me, dear ones. Stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near! (Luk 21:28).
10 COMMENTS
Oh precious sister, marvelous paintings and poignant words. Thank you. You have “hit the nail on the head.”
Love you – Carolyn
Oh, thank you, dear Carolyn. You have no idea how badly I wanted to paint a perfect rose, but I just couldn’t do it and felt so discouraged. The harder I tried the muddier and thicker the paint became. Thankfully, God redeemed it somehow anyway and taught me another valuable lesson–even when I can’t, He still comes through in a way I did not expect.
Thank you again for this lovely insight in to the Love of Jesus. I perfect example is the rose. I love roses and this example shows such beauty of our relationship with Christ. Shirley
Thank you, dear Shirley, for your kind words. I continue to pray for you every night, and think, Oh, I wish I would have called her today, and now it is too late. One of these days we will connect again. Hugs!
JIm and I read and appreciate your rose bud picture and the reminders of how God transforms our lives in ways that we could not have imagined. May the Lord bless and encourage you as you bless us with the reminders from His Word of His love and plan for our lives.
Dear Barb, thank you so much for responding! I’ve come to appreciate you two and thank God for His work in and through your lives.
Once again I am reminded of His rich gift of renewal and transformation through the blood of Christ. Beautiful! Thank you Marjean.
Nancy
Thank you for commenting, dear Nancy!!
Jeannie, what a precious post. Thank you. I was specially touched when you included Edwin Hatch’s words, “Breathe on me, breath of God …” and God’s wonderful, loving response. Your artistry and your description of the meaning of the white rose are meaningful. What a gift to be clothed in Jesus’ righteousness and seen through the blood of the Lamb.
Thank you, dear friend. Hugs and blessings!
Thank you, dear Carol. for taking the time to respond to my blog, and for your kind words. Our writing certainly makes us kindred spirits!! Love and hugs back to you, my friend!
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