From Fading to Flourishing | Qualities of Women Who Trust Jesus

“And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” —Ezekiel 17:24

I murder plants. Not intentionally, of course. I would rather keep them alive so they can add ambiance to my home, but it never works. In fact, here’s Exhibit A of my latest victim.

My latest victim of botanical homicide.

This poor martyr was a gift from my sweet mama. She knows I love live plants so every once in a while, she gives me one, and I think she truly believes that maybe THIS time— by some miracle— it’ll survive. (Thanks for believing in me, Mom!) Suffice it to say, plants do not flourish in my home.

How would you describe a plant that isn’t flourishing? Droopy, dried up, withered. Shrinking back and closing inward. Its color and vibrance fading… diminishing… dying.

On occasion, these descriptors could be said about us. We feel dried-up and lifeless. We feel like our vibrance is fading, like all we want to do is close up, shrink back, and be left alone. Does it catch you off-guard when these sentiments appear? Have you observed any patterns in the timing or circumstances of when these feelings surface?

Like much of nature, humans are cyclical creatures. Someone could argue that we, as women, are more cyclical by nature than men, which is fairly noticeable in the monthly roller coaster of hormones we ride. Unseen rhythms exist that cause us to rise and fall. Motivation morphs into melancholy. Delight dissolves into discouragement. Eventually, we find ourselves circling back to the high moments after the low ones. And so life continues.

All of nature exists within rhythms. For example, the germination period of a coconut palm takes about 5 years, which means it takes that long for the tree to begin bearing fruit after being planted. It needs time to develop and absorb the resources needed to thrive. Then, in order for a coconut to develop, it goes through 4 stages as it matures from a flower into a ripe fruit. This process takes a full year to complete. (Coconut Handbook, Tetra Pak, 2022.)

Sometimes a tree can be in the process of bearing fruit with very little outward signs. I wonder if this could be the case with us. What if we’re off-base in our perception of low swings or difficult seasons of life? Maybe we’re not in a dried-up, shrinking back, lifeless phase after all. Maybe we’re just in a quiet phase of germination, of digging unseen roots, of learning how to be anchored to the ground. The steady growth of a coconut palm might be imperceptible on a daily basis, but over time the health of the tree will be undeniable as it flourishes.

Here’s the best part, Sister: whether you’re in a germination phase, or whether you really are withering and drying up, God can make you flourish either way. He is the Lord and He will do it (Ezekiel 17:24). We can trust Him because He’s good and He has all the resources we need to survive and to bring beauty into the world (Psalm 85:12). In Him, we are flourishing.

For Your Journal

Find It:

In this portion of your journal, write out a Bible verse. You can find a verse that fits a current life situation or use the one we used in today’s devotion.

“And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” —Ezekial 17:24

Fix It:

In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse you chose above, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:

Sometimes flourishing is a miracle only God can do

Even a dry tree can flourish

Fading —> Flourishing

Feel It:

In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the Bible passage and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.

Lord, help me interpret my season of life correctly. Am I currently in a quiet phase of growing under the surface, learning how to stay grounded in you, or am I a dry tree, trying to live apart from you. Help me to believe that, either way, you are strong enough and good enough to make me flourish. Help me to depend on you today and to trust that you will bear fruit in me and use me to impact the world for your glory.