Parable of the Hibicus by Pastor Brent Lokker

About a month ago, I purchased a hibiscus plant to enjoy in our backyard. Actually I bought two of them—one with pink blossoms and one with orange blossoms and I planted them in the same extra large pot for a splash of colors to enjoy throughout the waning days of fall. When I bought the plants, one orange flower was already in full bloom with numerous buds of each color well on their way to producing a beautiful floral display. Then something happened...more accurately squirrels happened and my beautiful flower as well as all the forming buds on both plants became a scrumptious early morning squirrel buffet. Arrrrrgh!! So I went straight to Google to get the scoop on how to dissuade these hungry critters. I learned that sprinkling some fresh coffee grounds over the soil (who knew squirrels weren’t early morning coffee drinkers?) as well as spreading a thin layer of petroleum jelly laced with cayenne pepper (who knew squirrels weren’t into spicy foods?) around the edge of the pot would do the trick. And you know what? It did! The squirrels completely laid off of their hibiscus buffet. With a renewed commitment to see these plants restored I continued to faithfully water the plants every few days and kept the pot in full sun. I also continue to spread around fresh coffee ground every week or so. Although it took several weeks, new buds formed and the first two bright colored hibiscus flowers returned—one pink and one orange! Even with the flowers now flourishing, the squirrels still don’t cross the coffee/cayenne pepper barriers. Then the Lord spoke to me... “I love the beauty and fragrance of your life just the way I’ve created you. My intention is for you to flourish! The enemy of your soul wants to come and devour the fruit of your life through lies of discouragement and fear. Just as the squirrel couldn’t cross certain lines, so too the enemy cannot be around you when your heart is deeply connected to mine and we are enjoying closeness together. The blood sacrifice of Jesus brought the truth of perfect intimacy back into clear view, just as Adam and Eve had with me in the garden. This enjoyment of your protected place in my heart is a barrier the enemy simply cannot cross. So let’s walk together more closely as you enjoy the tenderness of my heart that’s my most priceless gift to you. Continue to drench and soak your life in my love. Continue to bask in the sunshine of my approval and favor. You will flourish again! Don’t get distracted my child. Intimacy with me is the key to a sustained fruitfulness in your life. I am inviting you in this very moment to know me in a deeper, more tender way than you’ve ever experienced before. Let’s go there!” We are to God the sweet aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15) ​ Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. My passion is to be consumed with him...  (Philippians 3:7-9, TPT)                                                                            Love,                                                                                  Brent