Daily Devotional – Unfolding the Rosebud

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UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD – GOD'S WILL FOR OUR LIVES

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in
the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to
do, he was inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to
a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it
without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher 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 for his ministry. Because of his high
respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose,
while keeping every petal in tact…It wasn't long before he realized how it
was impossible to do so.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while
keeping it in tact, the older preacher began to tell the following poem…

UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD

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,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of GOD's design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every 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.

— Author Unknown

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