Ponderings of an Almond Tree in Bloom
I explained why my blog is called FLOWING FAITH in my previous post Flow, flow flowing faith. What about the rest of the title “Ponderings of an Almond Tree in Bloom”? The quote from “The Fratricides” by Nikos Kazantzakis – “I said to the almond tree: ‘Speak to me of God’ and the almond tree blossomed” – was given to me on my high school graduation day. I’ve always felt that I was an almond tree and my destiny was to bloom by speaking of God. Hence, my calling is to blossom and bear fruit by talking of God so that everyone might know the love of God, receive the grace of Christ, and live in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I really want to bloom! That is the very reason of my existence! That is the reason why I blog! That is the reason why I speak at faith-related events! That is why I write! And hopefully, by God’s grace, this blooming almond tree will attract bees to collect pollen and nectar to be converted to wild honey, that wild grace that can change lives!
The change I am talking about is not a one-time event because we need Jesus every day of our lives. Isn’t it so easy to slip away from God if we don’t daily come into the presence of Christ? We need Jesus to keep on blooming and bearing fruit. Jesus says “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
As we daily renew our baptismal vows Jesus will bless us and send us out nourished and equipped to share God’s grace with others. Because no one should be left out of knowing the love of God, receiving the grace of Christ, and living in the presence of the Holy Spirit! (I will blog about these three aspects next week Monday – Wednesday – Friday.)
Q4U: What is your way to bloom?
P.S. If you want to help me to bloom, you can invite me to speak/write at a faith-related happening/blog. My email address is on the side bar.