My skill with plants is less than stellar. Currently, the plants on my front porch, meant to warmly welcome guests with a splash of bright, vibrant color, are dead as doornails, wilted beyond recognition. They’ve been sadly neglected on my rarely used front stoop. I love plants and flowers of all kinds. I just can’t seem to keep them alive. Brown, shriveled plants in various pots dot my patio and yard. There are a few random bursts of color here and there, thanks to some recent purchases at the garden center. But all-in-all, it’s a dead zone. The plants and flowers that were gorgeous at the garden center, promptly die once I bring them home.
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
I have a bucket of excuses: It hasn’t rained in a while, I didn’t inherit my mom’s green thumb, the plants were defective, it’s hot in Florida (nuclear fission hot, actually) and they can’t take the heat.
I find a little consolation in the fact that nothing in this world lasts forever. There’s a cycle to nature and to life: Things are born, they grow, they die. Even as children, we learn about the impermanence of things.
How many of us had a pet hamster, goldfish or turtle? One day we came home from school to find they had died, and a backyard funeral soon commenced (or, in the case of goldfish, a toilet flush). 
Death Enters the Picture
It wasn’t always that way. God made an incredibly beautiful world designed to be everlasting. Instead, man chose to rebel and sin against God in prideful disobedience. When Satan told him he could be like God, man took the bait. Now, there’s hardship, pain, death—and nothing lasts forever.
“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19, (NASB)
God’s Gift of Eternal Life
The good news is, God loved us so much he provided a way to a forever life—a do-over, a path to forgiveness and redemption. He offers us a glorious eternity with him.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God sent his only son, Jesus, to take our punishment by dying on the cross in our place. In doing so, he provided a way for us to be reconciled to God. Through the blood of Jesus, we stand not guilty before a Holy God.
All those who put their faith in Jesus receive forgiveness and thereby, the gift of eternal life. (John 5:24, Romans 6:23) We often forget that our eternal life in Christ begins the moment we place our trust in him. We don’t have to wait for it. From that very moment of salvation, our life will go on forever—although our soul will eventually have a new body more suitable to life in heaven.
The death of friends and loved ones is a sorrowful part of life on this earth. It’s hard to say goodbye, especially in cases where a beautiful young life is cut short. For those of us whose loved ones were a part of God’s family, we will see them again someday. God’s Word tells us so. It gives us consolation and hope in the midst of our grief. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 16:22)
Gardening and Eternal Life on the New Earth
I wonder if I will have a beautiful garden outside my dwelling in heaven—one that is green and lush, and self-watering—a heavenly mosaic of color and variety. Wouldn’t that be lovely? I doubt I’ll suddenly develop a green thumb but perhaps there will be some master gardeners there to give me advice. I know my mom will be there basking in all her horticultural glory.
Actually, on the new heaven and new earth, there will be no death, crying, heartache or pain (and probably no brown, wilted plants). I expect, in heaven, God’s diverse assortment of flora and fauna will be at its most glorious and I will even enjoy a healthy garden of my own. A spectacular collection of specimens including varieties we may have never seen before. Those of us who are verdantly challenged can look forward to that day.
“. . . and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
It’s time to sprinkle some water on my brown plants, in hopes they can be revived. If all else fails, I’ll pop some colorful plastic flowers in my pots on the front porch and call it a day. Although it’s a never-ending challenge to keep plants alive in this broken world, I’m so grateful for the gift of my eternal life in Christ, aren’t you?
I share your brown thumb, Beth.
Haha! I believe there are quite a few of us. We’re good at other things.
I can totally relate. The only reason my houseplants are alive is my neighbor has mercy. I am so glad of the gift of eternal life.