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Are We Painting the Roses Red?
As a ministry, we strive to celebrate diversity and to equip others to do the same. We celebrate the different parts everyone plays in the body of Christ. We love the different colored roses, all precious to the Divine Gardener, and the different stages of life and of growth that each rose finds herself in.
Our Divine Creator made us of every nation, tribe, people, and language. And I cannot wait until we get to heaven and sing as one voice, praising the Lamb!
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb... with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ...and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
(portions of Rev. 7:9-12, emphasis added)
In the meantime, to borrow from the Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland, my question for reflection is whether or not we are “painting the roses red”?
Are we celebrating the parts others play or are we painting the roses red?
Are we rejoicing in the beauty of the diversity of skin color our Creator has given us or are we painting the roses red?
Are we striving to allow each color rose to find her place in the kingdom, in service to the King, and in our hearts? Or, are we like the queen who only wanted red roses to begin with?
In 2019, Iron Rose Sister Ministries determined that the theme for the month of June would be “Celebrating the Parts Others Play.” I believe the Holy Spirit was guiding us to a timely encouragement and reflection. If there is any way that I, personally, or the ministry as a whole, can help encourage and equip you to celebrate the beautiful diversity that the Creator designed, please let me know.
May we avoid the fallacy of painting the roses red and may we lovingly serve as iron sharpening iron to one another if we perceive that another sister is doing so. I give you permission to call me out if you think I, in any way, am “painting the roses red.”
I love you my beautiful sisters of all shapes, sizes, colors, and perspectives. Thank you for being who you are and for sharing your lives with us.
M.
“Painting the Roses Red” video
Photo credit: “Queen Yelling Alice, Cards Painting Roses Red – Painting The Roses Red, Disney”
https://www.pngkit.com/view/u2w7e6r5w7r5e6y3_queen-yelling-alice-cards-painting-roses-red-painting/
I delight to do Your will
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)
The words flow beautifully from my lips, but my mind hesitates in question, analyzing the Psalm from end to beginning:
Your law is within my heart.
I open my heart and take a look. I find a lot of things: fond feelings for people, places, and memories. And yes, I do find God’s word, a deep love and respect for what has been written as an expression of His desire for us. I find knowledge of His laws: ways I need to behave in order to be more like Him, kindness, patience, forgiveness. I have read His Word and my mind and heart rest on His commandments, fully aware of their presence and application to my life.
Oh my God
But do I really realize just who it is whose laws are in my heart? These are not the laws of a country that demands you follow or face the consequences. These are not laws of a parent who deserves respect for the time and love they have poured into us throughout the years. These are the laws of the Creator of the Universe who has entrusted a small part of eternity into our hands. He doesn’t ask much, but He deserves everything. Nothing we have or do, is thanks to us. It is all thanks to Him.
I delight to do your will
This is the part that makes me stop and take an honest look inside the motivation behind my actions. Yes, there are some parts of God’s will that are delightful. Being part of His body, sharing encouragement with fellow believers around the world, striving to be Christ-like alongside great friends and sister... this is a true delight! But what about those times when obedience is not so fun? Do I still delight?
Do I delight when I have to be kind to someone who has been rude to me? Do I delight when I am called to serve someone who hurt me deeply? Do I delight when obeying a commandment might even bring me physical harm?
James 1:2-3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Joy in trials? Yes. If they are trials of obedience, there will be joy when we persevere. Not fleeting circumstantial happiness, but deep long-lasting joy that comes from knowing we have received mercy and grace from He who has conquered pain, sorrow, sin, and death.
I long to claim this Psalm as my heart-song. I long to find pure joy in doing His will, no matter what that will may be.
I want the following phrases to be the chorus echoed in my actions:
When obeying God seems illogical and arduous...
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” (Thank you for your example, Peter... Luke 5:5)
When obeying God may bring accusation and judgement from the world around me...
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Thank you for your example, Mary... Luke 1:38)
When obeying God means facing anguish, pain and fear...
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Thank you for Your example, Jesus... Luke 22:42)
Then I can truly say I delight to do Your will, and I find JOY in OBEDIENCE.
