Doing Hard Things and Fireweed
- Dava Caballero
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Sometimes things are just hard. Circumstances overwhelm us and suck the wind from our sails. Our adolescent flesh beckons us to give up, throw a fit, or run away. Maturity requires us to persevere and carry on, but how? How do we remain steadfast in spite of difficulty? Let's look to the One who did it best.
I've often wondered what statements or thoughts went through Jesus’s mind as he contemplated his eminent death? He was fully human, after all. Certainly, his flesh fought back more than the words recorded for us, “Let this cup pass from me.” (Matthew 26:39) Do you think he felt like a toddler fighting the urge to run away? Maybe. But perhaps his surrender to the cruelty of the cross materialized because his flesh had been fortified in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)
At a conference in January, speaker Ruth Chou Simons introduced us to a plant called Fireweed. She explained how Fireweed is a wildflower that often emerges and multiplies after a wildfire. So intriguing! Apparently, Fireweed springs up readily in the rich soil and abundant light created by burned-over lands. The spread and production of seeds may even “prevent the reintroduction of fire to the landscape.” (Chamaenerion angustifolium - Wikipedia)
The vibrant magenta blooms transform barren areas – creating beauty from ashes. The flowers can then be processed into a tea that is full of nutrients like iron, copper, potassium, and calcium. Isn't that a beautiful picture of God's goodness to us - making a way through it all and bringing what seems dead to life?
"God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:52
Like the flower, even when our world seems desecrated, life remains. Although we may feel and even look like death, the remnants actually fortify us. When we lay down our flesh in surrender, we discover beauty in the ashes. (Isaiah 61:3) Jesus overcame the impossible. He put on flesh and lived with his fallen creation. He loved well and served well. Then he gave up his life to make us whole. Jesus loved us first. He did the hard thing first. Now, it’s our turn – but our job is so much easier because he’s paved the way.
Doing the hard thing definitely doesn’t mean you won’t experience pain or afflictions of the soul. But scripture promises that God WILL BRING US THROUGH the fire. (Isaiah 43:1-3) When we’ve borne the heat, we are also fortified against further attacks. And just like Jesus, there will be resurrected life on the other side - and after that, glorious, supernatural blessings, and power from on high!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
The miracle power of Resurrection and Pentecost reminds us that we have access to the Comforter and Helper. Jesus our Messiah rescued us from chains of darkness and now, by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we share that light with the world. My friends, the hard times won’t last forever. The flowers will bloom again. You can do hard things because He loves you; and He’ll lead you to a blessed, spacious place. Your miracle is on the horizon.
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