UNFOLDING THE ROSE
A young, new pastor was walking with an older,
more experienced pastor in the garden one day.
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do,
he was asking the older pastor for some advice.
The older pastor walked up to a rosebush
and handed the young pastor a rosebud and
told him to open it without tearing off any petals.
The young pastor looked in disbelief at the older pastor
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 ministry.
But because of his great respect for the older
pastor,
he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping
every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how
impossible this was to do.
Noticing the younger pastor's inability to
unfold
the rosebud without tearing it,
the older pastor began to recite the following poem:
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,
Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my 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.
