The Mirrored Lake and God the Gardener

Lake Mirror

Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. — 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

Legs dangling over the end of the dock, you sit looking out over the lake water. There is no breeze, but the sun is dropping behind opaque clouds, cooling the air. It’s a soft silver sunset and the lake reflects the slate-tinted sky. The water is still. Leaning over the dock, you can see your reflection as if you were gazing into a mirror.

On this side of eternity, we see glimpses of who God is through His glory displayed in tangible creation. Mountains speak of His majesty. The ever-changing brushstrokes of colors in the sky reveal His limitless palette. Microscopic bacteria holding together the balance of entire ecosystems show the divine detail of our interdependence. And then there are humans, made in His image, each expressing unique pieces of Him. God is a beautiful mystery. Combining all of the diverse aspects of His creation still provides only a shadow of who He is in fullness.

One day we will see Him face-to-face, but for now we can look out over lake waters and know that in the reflected images of ourselves, God’s image also appears.

Father, I want to see pictures of who You are demonstrated in nature. When I look at my reflection, I want to see how I am like You. Amen.

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God the Gardener

God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. — 1 Corinthians 12:18 ESV

Flower beds on a lake-house lawn require care and attention to flourish. They need fresh mulch rich in nutrients, some sunlight, regular watering, and the weeds pulled from around them. The gardener chooses all the flower types and purposefully places them in specific areas in the beds to grow into an arrangement of complementary colors and pleasing patterns. Each pocket of petals in a group adds to the overall design.

It’s fun to walk by gardens and point out your favorite flowers with a friend because chances are, her floral tastes will be different from yours. No single flower is everyone’s first preference. In the same way, our unique personalities will be gifts to the people God brings around in life. We shouldn’t expect to be everyone’s favorite. It is more important that we be ourselves and exhibit the unique qualities God has given us than be liked by everybody.

Each of us is an irreplaceable part of God’s garden. If God the Gardener is pleased with us as He prunes, waters, and brings nutrients, we gain a true understanding of who we are, valuing His view of us over others’.

God, I trust that You are growing and pruning me into a unique and irreplaceable part of Your garden. Help me to see myself through Your eyes. Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Devotions from the Lake by Betsy Painter, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

The world around us is filled with beauty. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine anything could possibly be more gorgeous than Lake Lucerne, or the flower fields of Hitachi Seaside Park in Japan, and yet all that we see on earth is merely a dim reflection of God’s grandeur. Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily