Hosanna Restoration Church

I believe that when we first fall in love with Jesus we all intend to go all the way! As much as we can understand it, we commit ourselves to giving our all to our new life with Christ. When our hearts are touched, we don’t just throw in a garment, we pledge our whole closet! But as it goes with children, our good intentions sometimes run into roadblocks. Things come up that cause us to want to pick up the garment and run.

For instance, when we find ourselves on our own and someone asks us what is up with this Jesus thing? Do we grow up, or back up? Do we stay with garments, or look around for a leafy branch that we can throw as a token. Or perhaps we are well beyond that stage in our growth and we sense God asking us to take a step deeper into His Kingdom. It could be an offering. It could be more time. It could be our life serving Him in a way we never imagined. Do we throw garments or branches? Do we say yes Lord or later Lord?

The truth is, we are all growing up. We all have areas where we have no problem with committing garments and areas where we will barely go to the effort to find a branch. If we are honest, there are some areas where we hesitate to even pray because we don’t want to know what the Lord has to say!

As God kept speaking concerning “some threw garments” I sensed Him saying that branches, weak as they are, are not all bad! After all, some folks just turn away with no commitment at all. At least if we offer a branch it keeps us in the hunt and affords another opportunity to throw in a garment! So don’t give up if you feel like you have piled more branches than garments.

The important thing is that we are willing to take an honest look at ourselves to see where we are strong and where we are weak. If we are weak in an area, and we see someone else who is strong, we would be wise to study their example. Jesus is the ultimate example. Paul said to imitate the Christ we see in him. The Bible says to be imitators of God as dear children. Hey, sometimes we may throw in a garment and feel weak after we have done it. If that is the case, get help. Moses needed a man on either side to hold up his arms for the victory! There is nothing wrong and everything right about enlisting the help of other believers. After all, we are all being built up together.

Our goal should be to grow up until the first thing we think of is a garment offering and until we cannot even be tempted to settle for a leafy branch. However until we grow to that place, keep in mind that it is far better to throw in a branch than it is to throw in the towel! Don’t give up. Grow up! Go for the best and give God your best. Press until you will give nothing but your best because you expect God’s best.