Flower Agate

 

As I grow past my trauma, I blossom into my full potential as a child of Heaven. 

     Flower agate, also called cherry blossom agate, is a type of microcrystalline quartz, formed of milky to clear chalcedony with flower-like plumes of opaque white chalcedony inside. It is usually found in shades of cream, peach and pink, and occasionally inclusions of chlorite will color it green. More often, the pinkish blooms are enveloped in orangey-red chalcedony, due to flower agate forming with carnelian. It is also often dyed blue, green or other colors.

     Spring has arrived here where I live, and every day as I tend to my budding plants I'm reminded of the messages of spring. Coming out of the darkness and the cold frost, sprouts break through the soil and rise, and continue to grow, blooming again and again through the years. When we initially break through into a new spiritual life, we do not remain as a tiny sprout; rather, through our continuous nurturing relationship with the Holy Spirit, we grow and bloom as we seek His guidance through each season of our lives.

     But growth does not come without work - oftentimes it requires us to think or talk about things that we'd rather ignore or leave behind us. Growing into a more holy and loving follower of God happens when we acknowledge the negative habits, patterns and emotions from our old life that stick with us and drag us down, and then actively setting those things aside and drawing close to the Lord instead. Every believer must make an intentional choice to live a Godly life that reflects His righteousness and grace. When God is calling us to something, He is also calling us away from something else. He calls us to Himself and away from harmful sins; sometimes He calls us away from friends that're holding our faith back in order to call us toward a deeper relationship with Him.

     "Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

2 Timothy 2:20-22

     When we accept the Holy Spirit into out hearts, we are made pure like gold, and as such we must no longer allow ourselves to be used for unholy things the way we were before. Instead, strive for love and righteousness entering a new stage of your life as a follower of God. As we see in 1 Timothy 4:12 and 4:15, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." "Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress." When we seek to be purer and closer to His heart, we continue to flourish in His love and living renewal, growing closer and closer to our full potential as His child.