UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD - GOD'S WILL FOR OUR LIVES
A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned
preacher in the garden
one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to
do, he was inquiring of
the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and
handed the young
preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any
petals.
The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and
was trying to figure out
what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know
the WILL OF GOD
for his life and for his ministry.
Because of his high respect for the
older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose,
while keeping every petal intact...It wasn't long before he
realized how it was impossible to do so.
Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud
while keeping it intact,
the older preacher began to tell the following poem...
UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly
When in my hands they fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of GOD's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading,
Each moment of every
day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
-- Author Unknown