New Leaves, New Lives in Christ

This post concludes “Turning a New Leaf in Christ,” the message I shared at Oamaru Baptist Church on 16th January.

We were surprised to see a patch of Taros growing verdantly, with shoots suggesting abundant growth.

Now, I have a confession to make. We found this patch of taros here in Oamaru.

Wow, a tropical plant survives the diverse climate of the North Otago region. Not only that.

Look at those shoots surrounding their mother, Taros. They are reproducing and multiplying. Notable, isn’t it?

We were so hopeful and encouraged that we didn’t say no when our friend offered us some Taro shoots to plant in our garden.

We are all migrants

The patch of Taros reminds us that we are all migrants in this place. Some of us have stories of how our forebears started their lives in New Zealand.

For a few of us here (gesturing towards Asians attending the service), we are the first-generation migrants in our families.

It’s funny how some people from the North Island would say, I can’t survive the South because it’s cold. And here we are. We have survived the cold winter and enjoying a warm summer’s day.

We are all spiritual migrants, living and journeying in this earthly world we’re living in.

We are all spiritual migrants because we are in the world, but we are not of this world.

How can we survive in this ever-changing world?

The same question came to mind when we saw that beautiful patch of taros in Oamaru.

The triumphant, thriving Taro “tribe” entirely depends on our friend’s gardening expertise and dedication and commitment to growing her plants.

And it is no secret for us, familiar with Kiwi gardens, that the Taro patch and other tropical plants are grown in a hothouse (or greenhouse).

A greenhouse, or green house (also called a glass-house or hothouse) is a building where plants such as flowers and vegetables are grown. It usually has a glass or translucent plastic roof. Many greenhouses also have glass or plastic walls. Greenhouses warm up during the day via penetration of the sun’s rays which heat the plants, soil and structure. This heat is given up gradually throughout the night.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse

Aren’t we all living in God’s hothouse?

Yes, we are living in God’s shelter. And our local churches are the smaller units of God’s great hothouse (Kingdom) to ensure that every pilgrim who comes in and joins will experience the Great Gardener’s expertise, dedication and commitment to spiritual growth.

We know that more new lives will be added when we put in the right environment, dedication, and commitment to care for and grow lives in Christ.

Closing Challenge

Let me leave you with this challenge to a church entrusted to care for many lives in Christ.

We all know that the present situations try to pull us away from our mission and purpose.

Remember Jesus Christ’s response to his disciples who are inviting him to have some food, in John 4:31-34

³¹ Meanwhile, his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
³³ Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

As a part of his living body, the Church, let us nourish our ever-renewing lives in Christ on the food that Jesus Christ “eats” – To do the will of God who sent Jesus Christ and to finish God’s work.