Their persistence whispers tenacity as they push higher while producing pod-like fruit. Beautiful hibiscus-like flowers decorate the Okra’s tall willowy stalks reaching over 6-feet. The nutritious fruit can be deliciously roasted, fried, and used in stews.
Okra is a heat and drought-tolerant garden vegetable growing in heavy clay soils with intermittent moisture. The rodent-like voles that munch on some of my ground vegetables can’t get to the fruit. I’ll be sure to plant more “equipped for hardship” Okra this year.
These overcoming gems remind me that I’m equipped for hardships. Negative energy tries hard to suck the life out of civilization. I’ve experienced the positive energy that lifts me above illness despite the Covid virus and political unrest.
Where does one get this positive, healing energy? Psalm 121:1-3 skips through my mind as I write. I look up to the mountains–does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep.”
The Lord’s healing, delivering, protecting, saving, loving, and creating energy restores life. He possesses supreme and ultimate power over all negative energy and every living creature. Access to His wisdom and power is promised to all who seek His sustaining presence.
As the Okra plant communes with the sun, soil, and water, it produces a nourishing fruit benefitting humanity. Spending time in God’s word and presence lifts one above health-destroying noise and equips with health-giving attitudes. Despite the hardships experienced, these attitudes produce a stronger immune system and actions benefitting others.
CONSIDER:
Has your life manifested persistence in bringing beauty and life, or have you been paralyzed by analyzing the negative around you? What are you thirsty for, and what’s your source of truth?
Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.” When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. (NLT: John 7: 37 – 39)