Holy Experiments

by Macy Johnson

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart

may be enlightened in order that you may know

the hope to which He has called you,

the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

(Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

 

Oswald Chambers wrote, “If you will give God your right to yourself, He will make a holy experiment out of you. God’s experiments always succeed!”

 

Our yard is my husband’s laboratory. As the descendent of a long line of New Jersey farmers, he has dirt in his blood. When he retired from manipulating inventory data for many years, he was trained to become a Master Gardener. Now he can organize and rearrange plants instead.

 

When friends comment on the layout and appearance of our yard, I explain it is Jeff’s experiment. If a plant does not thrive in one spot, it is soon transplanted to another section of the landscape.

 

God is the Master Gardener of our lives. Sometimes He leaves us in one place to grow and serve for many years. And sometimes He digs us up and moves us to another place so we can meet new people and serve in new ways.

 

The Apostle Paul was one of God’s ultimate experiments. Scales fell from his eyes so He could see Jesus more clearly and be prepared for service in His kingdom. Paul had persecuted Jesus. He was replanted out of darkness into the light, much like my husband’s plants.

 

I want to be a successful experiment of my heavenly Father and bloom where I am planted. I do not want to be “far too easily pleased” with the status quo as C. S. Lewis declared and wilt on the vine. I want to give God my right to myself. He knows best!    

 

I will rejoice in the results of God’s holy experiments in me. I hope you will, too!