With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 The Message)
On Monday, I returned to the Botanical Gardens. One of the benefits of garden membership includes the annual orchid show. I love the uninhibited beauty displayed by these floral messengers. The orchids pictured above reminded me that in Christ, my face unabashedly reflects His glory.
In this world of dark clouds, broken lives and certain death, we can glimpse the glory that was exchanged on that fateful day in another garden. That God would unconditionally offer Himself to us, fills me with indescribable joy.
I want to be like the orchids, uninhibited by shame. Jesus promises fresh life in the Spirit, where condemnation gives way to confirmation. A new way of living with and through His indwelling Spirit is available to us today and forever.
The marks of brokenness and our physical end may still haunt us, but He lifts us up.
And if we dare to look into His eyes, we will see reflected there a new and different person than we ever dared to imagine.
We are His delightful children. We are of more value than all the tropical beauties on display at the botanical gardens. He will feed us. Clothe us. And quench our thirsts with Living Water. Unending life is obtainable . . . now and into eternity!
Linking with Soli Deo Gloria Party!
souldare.com 
Sooooo, beautiful, Kel. My post this week was about a visit to the Botanical Gardens near us.
The Scripture in The Message was powerful, too. Great pairing!
Jody- What a wonderful gift to be able to visit and enjoy God’s creation in a garden…reminds me of the way it’s supposed to be 🙂
Uninhibited – that is what you invite us to do….Express ourselves freely…. I am learning to walk in that freedom and appreciate your consistent invitation and constant companionship. Love you! PS Do you know that I met Jody Lee Colllins in person at the Faith and Culture Writers Conference? I told he you were my in real life friend, and her face lit up!
Kelly- I so appreciate your companionship and bold attempts at living FREE! That is so cool that you met Jody in person…she writes such encouraging and thought provoking posts and poetry! She is a light in this world for sure!
Jody’s blog is at http://www.threewaylight.blogspot.com
I love how you use the imagery of the orchid to describe our beauty before the Lord. It is an encouragement which ignites the fire of anticipation and excitment of His heart as we are filled with more of Him.
Blessings!
Dawn
Thanks Dawn! I love how He draws us to himself through creation, which reveals the beauty of His heart!