WILD ORCHIDS

James 1:2-8
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

I love orchids. The beautiful blooms never fail to make me feel at home. They have long been an ambassador of my country, Singapore. Foreign delegates who visit are often extended welcome by orchid leis. The tropical flower has become part of the Singapore culture, and you can see them throughout the country.

As a child, I was taught that Singapore's national flower is an orchid variety called Vanda Miss Joaquim. An indigenous hybrid between the Vanda teres and the Vanda hookerana, it was first discovered in the garden of Agnes Joaquim in 1893. Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen because of its hardy and resilient qualities and ability to bloom throughout the year. It is a symbol of purity, royalty, and beauty. These characteristics reflect Singapore's quest for progress and excellence.

The orchid is a strong and resilient flower which thrives and grows in harsh conditions. As one of the most adaptable plants on earth, orchids grow in the wild. Some species grow on trees while others cling to rocks. Orchids can flourish also among decaying vegetation on the forest floor. They anchor themselves in soil or sand and can be grown in tree bark, crumbled charcoal, pebbles, or slabs of cork.

I've always thought it was amazing that this beautiful flower could bloom in such a difficult environment. It reminds me of our lives. We can grow in trials or we can wither because of them. In today's Scripture reading, we are encouraged to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials (James 1:2). This is because "the testing of our faith develops perseverance" (v.3).

Are we like the strong and resilient orchid? Are we blooming in our trials and developing perseverance and maturity? As we trust God in all the trials He allows us to face along life's path, His beauty and fragrance will come forth. --Joanna Lim

DESTINATION POINTS

* What do James 1:2-4 and 2 Peter 4:12-13 say my attitude should be when faced with trials?
* How will the right attitude help me grow and develop Jesus-like character despite the testing and temptation I face?
* How can I spread the fragrance of Jesus to people around me?

LINKS:http://www.orchidweb.org/

bottom line: Trials prepare the way for something beautiful.

soul journey