ChurchSuite

Honesty

Brian Bliss April 2022

This is the variegated form of the common wildflower ‘Honesty’. The ordinary form has mauve/blue flowers in spring and flat silvery seed heads in autumn but this variegated form is much more distinguished with brightly silver edged leaves and white flowers. It really catches the eye.

Looking at it again this year reminded me that it is our task as Christians not just to live in our community but to stand out among them. As Christians do we catch the eye or are we indistinguishable from everyone else?

What is it about this plant that draws the eye? Surely it is the contrast between the silver edge and the dark green of the leaves or, more scientifically, the genetic change within which has brought about the change in leaf pattern.

Now, as I look at this plant again using a ‘Christian Lens’, I’m reminded that just as the plant has been genetically transformed from within and now catches the eye, so I have been given the chance to become a child of God, transformed by committing my life to Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus offers the Holy Spirit to live within all who trust their lives to him and it is he who brings about that transformation. It is the Holy Spirit within who will provide the silver edge to our leaves which make us stand out.

Now each time I look at the silver variegation shining out in my garden It urges me to think about my own life once more. As Jesus reminds me to ‘ask and you will receive’, I know it is time to ask the Holy Spirit for more silver edging!

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  • Culver Road, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 4DR

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LAST REVIEW DATE 2019

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