Mar 27-28, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow
Turning March, the lavender in the garden wakes up unnoticeably! When I did spot it, it was grinning to me with its new gray green foliage, as if greeting a long missed friend! I returned a blissful smile.
Lavender is one of my favourite flowers. With bluish violet florets, thin gray green leaves grow on its slim stem, displaying lilac blossom on the tips! Flowers dangles, covered with starry fine hair! These charming florets liberate a drowning mint-like scent, with a hint of the pungent of the camphor. An extraordinary light sweet aroma! It is such a beautiful portrait to imagine yourself hanging around in a lavender field, seeing piles and piles of this sweet plant in the breezes. This unique fragrance refreshes our heart and mind, sweeping away all the worries and frustrations!
Lavender originates from the Mediterranean area, e.g. Spain and Portugal. It is now mainly grown in Provence in France, Hokkaido in Japan, Caucasus mountain in Russia and Ili River Valley in China. Lavender is a resilient plant, capable of withstanding the tough winter. When spring comes, it surges to life, releasing its charming fragrance in tranquility once again. No wonder it is called the “Fragrance Plant of Serenity” and the “Queen of Herbs”!
Lavender is not only pleasing to the eye, its fragrance helps to calm mood, relieve pressure and energize spirit. Its essential oil helps detoxification and beautification. Other usages include painkilling, relaxation, improving sleep and anti-depression. A small pot of lavender can soothe the mind! I would pick a lavender stem occasionally, crush it to release its fragrance, which will drown me for a good part of my day.
Lavender is also a special plant. You never see a lonely one, but usually in a big bush. Besides, lavender needs pruning, too. It flourishes in spring if it is given good trimming and fertilizing the winter before.
Somehow, being Jesus’ disciples is a lot like the lavender. We don’t compete against each other, but share our charisma together. We won’t get defeated by one blow, but get through the harsh test by staying together. We don’t care only for ourselves, but we go into the world, think for the world and go against the world. We don’t just look over the world, but going to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13). Jesus’ disciples need pruning and trimming, too. We are so grateful of our Heavenly Father pruning and trimming us constantly, so that we are capable of bearing more fruits (John 15:2). When people get to be among Jesus’s disciples, their souls and minds should be soothed: getting the blessings from the gospel and a full acceptance. Thus, people’s lives can be changed, become new persons in Christ and be blessings to others.
Would you like to live a life like the lavender?