Considering the Flowers... and Fruit

Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) [Click to enlarge.]

This month, our garden has displayed the brilliant red flowers of the Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). We enjoy the regal flowers and their colorful avian visitor, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird visiting flowers.

The Royal Catchfly is named for its habit of “catching” flies and other small insects that visit to feed on its nectar.  The calyx or floral tube of the Royal Catchfly is covered with tiny glandular hairs.  These glandular hairs secrete a sticky fluid that traps flies and other small would-be pollinators that are too weak to escape.  However, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird does not land on the flower but instead it hovers as it draws sugary nectar from each flower to support its high metabolic rate.  This relationship illustrates how different plant species can “select” which animal species they will attract (and release) in order to allow pollination necessary to complete sexual reproduction through fruit and seeds.

Royal Catchfly:  Note green, sticky floral tubes

As I sat admiring the array of lovely Royal Catchfly flowers, I was reminded of how God’s creation often reveals or underscores valuable spiritual lessons.  There is one lesson for us in the beauty of the flowers.  In Matthew 6: 28-33, Jesus  points to the wildflowers in a nearby meadow and notes that, though they do not “toil and spin” they are more spectacular than King Solomon in all of his glory.  Hence, the flowers teach us the lesson not to be like unbelievers who tend to view the material world as their total reality, and therefore, are often anxious about accumulating wealth and having security.  Instead, we are to seek after the eternal priorities of our Heavenly Father Who already knows our needs and will supply them as we wisely do our part.

Our main focus will be upon a second lesson from the flowers; namely, that flowers are always very dependent on the leaves in order to acquire their attractiveness necessary to produce fruit and seeds.  Although leaves can make a garden flower or tree look lovely, leaves and stems are only a means to the end that each plant is able to reproduce itself lest it become locally or totally extinct.

The Royal Catchfly is a perennial plant, meaning that it can live year after year because roots and sometimes parts of the stem can survive during an unfavorable season like winter.  Each Spring, when the new growths emerge from the ground, energy stores from the rootstalk are used to launch the leaves and stems.  The plants become self-sufficient through photosynthesis as long as sunlight, water, soil nutrients, and carbon dioxide are available.  During this “vegetative” phase, perennial plants give priority to growth of leaves supported on stems that can hoist the leaves high enough to insure sunlight absorption and gas exchange.  For Royal Catchfly, this height is from 2 to 5 feet.

Once the leafy stalks differentiate to produce flowers in July, the priorities shift.  Now, the vegetative parts of the plant actually become “sources” of nutrients, water, and organic constituents.  Fruitful plants are those in which the leaves and stems transport food to the reproductive parts so that flowers can flourish and attract pollinators by means of visual appeal, release of fragrant compounds, and provision of nectar as food.   After flowering is completed, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and then brown as chlorophyll-protein compounds are broken down and resultant amino acids and other organic constituents are transported from the leaves to the growing fruit and seeds.  This pattern is particularly noticeable in crop plants like soybean and corn which have been enhanced genetically so that the economically valuable seeds (soybeans) contain as much nutrient value as possible rather than allow these nutrients to be lost in the crop residue, the resulting brown leaves, stalks, and chaff.

Evidence of flowers being preferred over leaves (arrows)

Of special interest this year was my observation that one of the Catchfly’s flowery stalks was partly severed from its roots. The severed condition obviously limits the supply of water and nutrients available to both the leaves and the flowers.  But, interestingly, the damaged stalk responded with an earlier than usual shift in priorities in order to favor the flowers at the expense of the leaves. Notice the wilting leaves (arrows) in stark contrast to the firmly opened Catchfly flowers.  Considering the importance of fruit-bearing and the spreading of seeds, we can infer a logical benefit to the Royal Catchfly in how the damaged stalk hastened its shift tp favor flowers and fruit/seed production at the expense of the leafy part of the plant.

The second lesson, teaching the importance of being fruitful, is underscored from Scripture.  Matthew 21:19 records an instance in which Jesus encounters a tree with lush leaves but no fruit:

Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.

Fruits (capsules) of Royal Catchfly at time to collect seeds

Jesus intended this particular fruitless tree to represent the nation of Israel which He regarded as fruitless in their role of representing His glory on Earth.  Adam and Eve had already rejected God’s authority and His plan that they, along with all creation, would be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth (Genesis 1: 22, 28).  Now, God’s chosen people, Israel, had refused to live as a glorious testimony of His goodness in a fallen Earth.

Like the nation Israel, and the fruitless fig tree, no plant can be fruitful unless the leaves become subservient to the flower, fruit, and seeds.  Instead, the leaves must have the same relationship with the flowers and fruit that John the Baptist had with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John tells us about the mission of John the Baptist, in John 1: 6-7,

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness, to testify about the Light (Jesus Christ), so that all might believe through him.

John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and all the country of Judea was going out to him (Mark 1: 4-5a).  We know from modern experience how pride and corruption can plague the lives of preachers who acquire large followings.  But in spite of his great following, John the Baptist remained faithful and directed the “spotlight” onto the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.  John 3: 39-30 records John’s stewardship as “friend of the bridegroom” (emphasis mine):

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.  He must increase, but I must decrease.

After John pointed his followers to “the Lamb of God” (John 1: 29), many of John’s followers followed Jesus.  John eventually ended up in prison and was later beheaded (Matthew 14: 3, 10).  Like leaves and shoots that spring up in the good soil and flourish for a time, their glory must give away to another, greater purpose—the nourishing of flowers which produce fruit with seeds in them to ensure future growth and reproduction.

Combining the biology of how leaves must submit and give up their life in support of flowers, fruit, and seeds with the example of John the Baptist who “decreased that Jesus might increase,” we have a major principle:  biblical leadership requires “submissive steward leadership.”  In other words, LEADERSHIP without STEWARDSHIP will SINK the SHIP.”  Pursuit of power and glory at the expense of submissive steward leadership does not accomplish an enduring result, but can end in ruin.   Instead, a disciples of Christ must be so in love with Him through the power of His Spirit that he or she can deny himself, take up His cross, and follow” Him (Luke 9: 23).

How about you?   How about me?   Are we all leaves and little fruit, like the fig tree that Jesus rejected?   Leaves make great hedges to divide property and hide people from one another.  But submissive stewardship honors God, family, community, and nation.  It begins in a child who honors his father and mother, the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6: 2), and is a basic foundation for social behavior.  The child who learns to submit his or her desires to the authority of parents and siblings within the family, and enters a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, is preparing to be a steward leader as an adult in marriage and family, church ministry, civic responsibility, and place of employment.

Like the leaves that literally “give up” their organic constituents to supply the fruit and seeds, and like John the Baptist, the “friend of the Bridegroom” who lived and died while casting the bright light of hope on Jesus, so our Father in Heaven calls us as His beloved children to deny self and to sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence… (1 Peter 3: 15).  But, unlike leaves of Royal Catchfly or Soybean that eventually wither and die, we can live on as submissive stewards and friends of the Bridegroom, perpetually drawing our sustenance through our obedience by abiding in the vine which is Christ.  For he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15: 5).

George Whitman (1925 -2012): A Life Well Lived

In our last entry, “Stewardship of “God’s Economy”, we emphasized that good stewardship requires a disposition of reverent discernment necessary to learn and exercise our individual responsibility toward God, our neighbor, and God’s creation.   An event that occurred this week allows us to “put some skin on” this stewardship quality.  On April 9, a gentleman who demonstrated reverence, discernment, and responsibility; and, who actually bore the title “Reverend” as a pastor and friend of our family, went home to heaven. 

Whitman's celebrating George's 80th Birthday, in 2005.

The Rev. George P. Whitman (1925-2012) devoted 53 years of his life to the pastoral ministry in New York State.   George and his wife Jean, his faithful partner of 64 years, have shepherded five different churches during the past five decades.  During this time Pastor Whitman and Jean nurtured four sons and three daughters who have extended the Whitman family and their heritage of Christian faith through 23 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

This week, we are remembering the life of George Whitman and keeping Jean and the family in our prayers.   We honor this man as one who exercised stewardship through his God-given responsibilities as a loving husband, father, and pastor.  Pastor Whitman understood the importance of God’s truth as applied to the heart and mind of each child in a godly home through loving parents, reinforced in the classroom, and supported by the fabric of the local church and community which are the life blood of our nation.

George’s own testimony in a Christmas letter, in 2008, echoes the values that he held dear:

I attended eight grades in a One Room Public Country School (Honeywell's Corners) R. D. 1, Broadalbin, NY. (Fulton County) beginning in 1930 when the Pledge of Allegiance was a daily requirement, listening to the reading of a Psalm, and would you believe it, with the One teacher having all 24 of us quote “The Lord's Prayer” which he taught to his disciples.  The Bible and Websters Dictionary had their place on a shelf available for our use, and believe us‑-Noah Webster was "no dumb bunny".  Many of us are still hanging around (by God's Grace) after, at least, a productive life of serving the Lord and seeking to be a blessing to others, raising our families to be honorable citizens in their communities, in our country, and out as well.

Pastor Whitman was also an American patriot and cherished the opportunities he was given on several occasions to deliver the opening session prayer for the New York State Legislature in Albany.  He wrote:

While praying for America, we still say "God Bless America" and are very thankful for the great heritage handed down to us by our founders and leaders. May we never forget it, or them.  

George’s ministry at LBBC was extended through his weekly radio broadcasts called "Echoes of Faith" on radio station WLFH in Little Falls, N.Y. and "Moments With Your Bible" on WHAZ in Troy, N.Y.  Fittingly, one of his son’s, Fred,  with his wife Rachel, have ministered faithfully with Baptist Mid Missions using a radio ministry in Italy.

Pastor Whitman’s fifth church was Latham Bible Baptist Church (LBBC), in Latham, NY, where he established the Latham Christian Academy in 1979.   It was during this pastorate, in 1992, that our family was privileged to make the acquaintance of George and Jean.   That Spring, our son Brad, had been accepted by Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in nearby Troy, NY for graduate studies and we were assisting him to in locating off-campus housing.  We called several churches including LBBC to enlist their prayers and any leads they might have concerning apartments for rent.

We received no leads.  But God’s people did pray and the answer came through the willingness of George and Jean Whitman to open their home to Brad.  They treated him as one of their own sons during the months to follow.  They also involved Brad in the ministry of LBBC and Latham Christian Academy where he was able to teach a course in computers and assist Pastor Whitman in clearing the parking lots after each upstate New York snow.  Brad wrote home many times to share accounts of the special informal times he had spent with Pastor Whitman whose vibrant, unassuming love of Jesus Christ and His creation was contagious.

George & Jean Whitman, with friends, at LBBC & LCA, 199

In 1999, the Whitman’s retired and spent winters at Sleepy Hollow Mobile Estates,  Zephyrhills, Florida.   There, George served as Chaplain and he and Jean continued to bring a sweet aroma of Christ to the local residents for over another decade.  Of course they still migrated north to beloved upstate New York during the warm seasons.

As his obituary in the Oneonta Daily Star states:  

A life dedicated in service to his Lord and Savior, he counseled many people to know Christ as their Savior.  He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his beloved family, cherished friends and those whom he pastored. 

Perhaps our son Brad’s recent tribute to Pastor Whitman is a fitting affirmation of what it means to be a faithful steward of providential opportunities to love and serve God, neighbor, community, and creation: 

 

I went to New York as a young man and was taken in (and fed well) by two of the most wonderful human beings I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I am forever changed by their influence in my life...and forever challenged by their example. Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Whitman.

This week Heaven decided it was time to bring Pastor George P Whitman home (personally, I feel like things were getting a bit boring up there....).  Truly, truly....our loss is heaven's gain. Thank you, Pastor, for being a true man of faith.  Thank you.

Mothers and Stewardship

The internet social gaming giant, Zynga, “has figured out how to make money from boredom.” As quoted in WORLD (April 23, 2011, “Cracks of Boredom”), Zynga’s Brian Reynolds, claims his company’s games such as Farmville and Cityville “take advantage of the ‘cracks of boredom that exist in everyday life . . . these micro downtimes of boredom are when people want to engage in the simple interaction of social games.’" Of the 60 million Zynga users each day, more than half are women. Online gaming may explain the decline in soap opera viewers, according to the article.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, May 8, Abby and I honored our mothers; Marietta and Esther; and, also Melinda, our daughter who is mother of our three grandchildren, Caleb (13), Kiara (9), and Della Salyers (3). Then, on Monday, May 9, we celebrated my birthday; a day on which my mother remembers the pain and the joy of bringing her oldest son into the world.

Thank you, Mom, for your labor of love which began sixty-four years ago and continued as you and Dad taught me to love God, people, God’s creation, plants, geography, and history. Even before going off to “first grade”, you introduced me to the treasure within books and the wonder of creation by walks among woodland wild flowers.

Summer, winter, seed time and harvest–the time has flown by. My wife, Abby, and I have sought albeit imperfectly to instill our love of God, people, the creation, and learning into our children; and, our grandchildren. We are also thankful for our grandmother’s, now with the Lord, who taught us to love and respect others, and taught us generosity by their generous giving.

What an honorable privilege God gives to our mothers and grandmothers who live according to God’s great plan and purpose for them. These women provide the roots and foundation of our cognitive and affective learning. Abraham Lincoln said, “I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” And elsewhere, Lincoln claimed, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of mothers and grandmothers to his understudy, Timothy to whom he writes, I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well (II Timothy 1:5 ESV). Later, he states this principle of intergenerationality in teaching and learning which is needed to produce spiritual offspring: The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (II Timothy 2:2).

Each of us are entrusted by our parents and other spiritual mentors with the stewardship of truth and knowledge. As our parents and spiritual mentors have taught us by word and example, so we are responsible to produce fruitful offspring through biblical discipleship. Seen in the light of this truth, parenting is truly a “high calling.” How can the mother who catches the importance and challenge of this principle slip into a pattern of “downtimes of boredom?” Not that mothers, or anyone for that matter, are less spiritual if they like to play games, social or otherwise. But, the Scripture calls us to be stewards of our time, talents, and opportunities, including those all-too-brief years of parenting and mentoring. Perhaps a final example will convey my point.

On Mother’s Day, with our mothers living over three hours away, Abby and I were privileged to visit one of our “adopted mothers,” Esther Frye. Esther is a chalk artist who presents the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through her chalk art. In front of varied audiences, she narrates stories of people who have come to Jesus and uses fluorescent chalks and black lighting to illustrate the stories in glorious color.

When Esther was a high school student during the Great Depression, a chalk artist came to one of the daily chapel services then permitted in her public school. She loved art but could not afford lessons. So, Esther promised God that if He would provide a way for her to study art, she would use her ability to tell His story. Now, after 75 years as a chalk artist, Esther Frye has presented in dozens of churches around the world. She has also passed along this unique approach to evangelism to many students.

This Mother’s Day, May 8, was also Esther’s 97th birthday . But sadly, Esther lay barely responsive on a hospital bed in an intensive care unit. As she battled with pneumonia, her breathing was supported by a ventilator and she was unable to hear us well. We used a small white marker board to awkwardly communicate our love and prayers to her. While we stood by, another visitor named Sue came by and also used the marker board. We observed Sue’s awkward attempts to voice a message asking Esther to pray for her. She said, “I am scheduled to present a chalk drawing to a nearby church tonight and I am so nervous. Please pray for me.”

In those few moments, we were blessed with a true glimpse of what is meant by discipleship and the “stewardship (oikonomia) of truth and learning.” Lying helpless and frail on her bed, an old teacher was being honored by her young student who was about to carry on her chalk ministry for the glory of God. Because of her personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, Esther has been far from boring. Instead, she has been surrendered to God and has experienced a fruitful life of stewardship of the time and talent. May God help both our mothers and those whose path does not involve motherhood to find the joy that comes with submission to a Loving Savior Who along can provide meaning and fulfillment.

Let [each] regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. – 1 Corinthians 4:2