Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan, Colorado

More than grit.

Some of us might see this plant as a symbol of endurance.  That's true but take a closer look at this picture.  This plant is thriving in hardened soil where nothing else grows.  If I were to pull back from this plant you would see that the only thing growing in this soil are these plants.

Is it possible for us to thrive in the hardened soil of society?  It probably depends on our definition of "thrive."

If by thrive we mean no pain, no sorrow and no suffering then the answer is, no.  

If by thrive we mean the ability to find reasons to rejoice when others say there shouldn't be, then the answer is, yes!

King David sung these words, "Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him!  Let all the upright in heart exult!" Psalm 64:10 ESV

Those are nice pious words until you recall that David was a wanted man.  King Saul wanted him dead.  The Philistines wanted him dead.  Even his own son, Absalom, tried to take throne from him.  Yet David found a reason to rejoice in the Lord his refuge.

David was known by his God and he understood what it meant to live in an intimate relationship with this God.  He understood God's forgiveness.  He understood God's protection.  He understood God's provision.

God calls us to thrive today even if we feel the soil around you is parched.  With his forgiveness, protection and provision we can do more than endure, we can thrive.

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.