SOFTLY AND TENDERLY!

‘Touch me not’ Mimosa Pudica by Digitearte is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. 

The Mimosa Pudica pictured above is (I believe) God’s reminder that there are people in the world that need to be approached with great tenderness and care.  This beautiful plant droops when touched!  The word ‘pudica’ actually means bashful!  The Mimosa is also known as the sensitive plant, humble plant, touch-me-not, sleeping grass and shameful plant.  When touched, the pressure drops inside the plant cells at the base of their leaflets and the leaflets begin to droop!             

Scientists believe the leaves droop to repel predators and eliminate pesky insects.  It un-droops itself as soon as it senses that it is ‘safe’!  The Mimosa is native to Central and South America.  It is often grown for its ‘curiosity value’.  I can certainly see why!  

Are you one of those people who need to be approached with great tenderness and care?  Or are you like the Mimosa, bashful, sensitive, humble, a touch-me-not or ashamed?  You need Jesus who fulfilled the prophesy spoken by Isaiah 800 years before He came to earth!

Isaiah wrote, ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.  He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.’ Isaiah 42:1-3.  This prophecy pointed to the actions and demeanor of the coming Messiah, now revealed in Jesus Christ.  This is the Jesus that Matthew bore witness to when he included this prophetic scripture in his gospel.

Are you bruised?  He will not break you.  A reed that is bruised may be damaged, but it is not irreparable!  Have you almost lost your fire?  He will not snuff you out.  You can still be reignited!  This is the Jesus I know.  Read the lyrics of this beautiful song written by Alan Jackson, American Country singer and songwriter.

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me.  See on the portals He’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.  Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home.  Come home, come home.  Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, calling, “O sinner come home”.  O for the wonderful love He has promised, promised for you and for me.  Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.  Sweet!

Can you hear Him calling?  

The scripture admonishes us all to ‘Let our conversation be always, (like Jesus) full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.’ Colossians 4:5-6.
To bear the ‘fruit’ of the Spirit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’  Galatians 5:22-23. To ‘be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ Ephesians 4:2. 

To ‘be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above ourselves.’ Romans 12:2.

Perhaps as we begin to embrace these many scriptural admonishments, we too will ‘become ‘conformed to the image of Jesus’ and ‘approach people with great tenderness and care’ being careful not to ‘break’ someone who is bruised or put out what is left of someone’s fire.

‘For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.’ Romans 8:29. 

BE CONFORMED!