The Straightened-Up Zinnia

 The Unconventional Zinnia

                A few weeks ago, my Faith_Family_Farm blog featured a posting entitled “A Miniature Flower Garden and Unity.” It highlighted our little container garden of zinnias and its comparison to unity which is vital in a family, church, or community to thrive. But the little zinnia curved its stem over the edge of the tub-converted-to-a-flower container and a rain event seemed a good focus for this posting.

                A few weeks after I wrote the miniature flower garden post, we experienced a rainstorm with a little wind. The next morning, the zinnia stems had been blown to one side of the converted cattle tub. To my surprise, the curved zinnia that had extended over the side of the container was standing stalwart even with its bowed stem.

Here is the zinnia container garden after the rain 
with the resurrection lilies standing tall along 
with a couple of tomato plants in the background.
The little purple zinnia that inspired this posting is
standing erect in the lower right corner of the 
photo. Its little curved stem is visible, too.

                As I inspected the tomato plants while the cats ate their morning food, I remembered an account in the Ephesus church that highlighted a dynamic speaker in their congregation named Apollos. He was described as “eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures” yet he had been instructed in the teaching of John the Baptist. Apollos lacked understanding that the Messiah had come and was named Jesus. He stood in the synagogue of Ephesus and began boldly speaking even though it was inaccurate teaching.

                 Under his teaching sat Aquila and Priscilla, a married couple, who had ministered with Paul in another city. They took Apollos “aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:26) What a gentle spirit this godly couple had!

                As I walked away from the zinnia container, I thought how Apollos was like the errant zinnia. His lack of understanding of the truth of God’s plan incapacitated him from standing strong in the Word of God with the others in that body of believers. But just as the wind of the rainstorm had straightened the curved zinnia so had the Holy Spirit used Aquila and Priscilla’s private instruction to enabled Apollos to move to a greater work.

                The exciting results are revealed in verses 27 and 28 of the 18^th chapter of Acts. God led Apollos to another city where “he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”

                How important are people like Aquila and Priscilla in our world today, whether in our families, communities or our churches! This displaced-Jewish Christian couple exemplified discernment by sensitivity. They didn’t publicly rebuke or correct Apollos. They took him aside privately to discuss the Scriptures and answer any questions this eager young believer might have had. The work of the Lord benefited by their obedience.

                Lord, give us a heart tender to Your leading as you gave Aquila and Priscilla. Grant us discernment, wisdom and a gentle approach as we work hand in hand with You. When we, like Apollos, need correction in our belief, give us a teachable heart, listening ears and a mind willing to obey.