Yes, it's possible to have beautiful flowers in a scalding hot summer.
The key is to keep them watered.
My plants tell me if they are going to withstand the blistering heat, they need to be watered and fed regularly. When I water and feed them regularly, they reward me with burst of blossoms and beauty. When I fail to water them, they wither. That's it. Pure and simple.
We are living in a blistering, scorching culture. Criticism, attacks, and falsehoods that permeate our culture are as depleting -- and devastating to beauty--as the scorching, relentless rays of the July summer. Churches can be the watering/feeding/beautifying source for people. But the heat of the culture makes the survival of beauty more than preachers watering members. While I believe the times press deepened responsibilities for nurture on pastors, the daily depletion requires more than a once-a-week watering. Every Christian has to cling to Christ (as Jesus taught in John 15) every day or dry up. In the adversarial tone of our nation these days, nothing is more important for every Christian than finding the daily water of life and the beauty of God's heart. Sometimes, that means more intentional prayer and devotional time. For some, disengaging with the constantly conentious voices in media will open the door to hearing God's voice. For others, daily Bible reading and reaching out to others in kind deeds and invitation will be ways for God to water the soul.
This much I know: beauty can blossom in the most intense heat. But not without regular watering. It's true for flowers and it is true for people.
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