I love the idea of making a room beautiful by decorating both the walls and shelves. If I ever have the chance to prepare a room for a special occasion like a wedding, I would create beautiful table centerpieces. Some might use fake flowers, but I prefer real ones—each vase filled with fresh, vibrant blooms with a lovely scent. No one likes arriving at a party and seeing wilted, drooping flowers.
I would even go the extra mile to pick out flowers that have special meanings:
· red rose for love
· Lilly of the valley for joy
· olive branch for peace
· azalea for forbearance and self-control
· Dahlia for kindness
· white zinnia for goodness
· gladiolus for faithfulness
· Jasmine for gentleness
If these characteristics sound familiar, that is because they are the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. The point of this illustration is to show how we are seen by Jesus, so special that to him each one of us is a master table centerpiece. Not only are we seen as if we are one, we have the power to be a living centerpiece for Jesus. To start, the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 that we can be a beautiful vessel set apart to do good works. The first step is to recognize that we are vessels through which God works. The next step in preparing our “centerpiece” is to fill it with water. Not just any kind of water, we have access to living water (see John 7:38). The living water comes from the Holy Spirit and knowing God’s truth by spending time in His word. Once we have our vase filled with the necessary living water, we can go out and start collecting the flowers (fruits of the spirit). This will take time, and that is okay. Some of these flowers are exotic and hard to find, while others are more readily available. The good news is that everyone can have the most hard-to find fruit with the help of the Holy Spirit. Once we start gathering them, we need to work to keep them fresh and vibrant by continuing to walk with God, being in the Word and staying in prayer. The result is that we will live a life filled with good fruits of our work through the Spirit, and be a centerpiece for Jesus to see and be pleased with.
