Blossoming Correa Reflexa Reflections
This beautiful, ornamental, Australian native shrub has a unique bell-shaped design with petals of blended and contrasting colours and is commonly found in parks, reserves and gardens. To me, this plant really stands out and makes a statement. It looks very regal and official. I find this plant really attractive in a very sophisticated kind of way, with it’s curves and blended & contrasting colours, and just the way it hangs, so boldly, confidently & gloriously, waiting patiently for the birds and the bees to be drawn to it’s beauty and to feed upon it’s rich nectar. A fun fact about the Correa Reflexa is that it was selected as the official flower of Canberra, Australia’s capital, for their centenary celebrations in 2013. It became known as the Canberra Bells.
Red & White – Pure Holy Unconditional Love of God
The blended contrast between the red, which often stands for love and white representing purity, together, remind me of the pure, Holy, unconditional love of God which is not dependent upon anything we can do or not do. And God revealed this love to us through Jesus.
Bell-shaped flowers – announcing good news.
The shape of this flower, as it blossoms, is like that of a bell. Bells historically get the attention of people, so that good news can be announced. To me, this bell-shaped beauty, announces the unconditional love of God, to a world that only knows selfish love where we commonly use one another to get what’s needed as a means to survive.
Produces nectar to nourish small birds and bees.
The Correa Reflexa provides a rich nectar for many small birds and bees to feed upon. Just as God provides daily nourishment for the birds He creates through this beautiful Correa, so too does He provide daily for the needs of His people who can daily feed upon The Word of God.
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
When we know God is our Creator, and that we are of value to Him, that He is a good Father who takes care of us, then we can truly cast our cares upon Him, knowing He is trustworthy and dependable. As a good Father, He provides all that we need.
Do you know God as a good loving Father who values you and wants to take care of you?
What is He calling you to trust Him with today?
Imagine the bees and birds that feed upon these beautiful bright bell flowers. How delightful it must be to look down at these masses of 5 star quality restaurants as these flowers blossom and for the birds and bees to have to decide which one to feed upon.
We too have the whole, rich, full, word of God, from which to choose which part to land on and meditate upon each day. With each meal we can look at the Bible with awe and wonder and decide which portion of the Scripture to feed upon each day.
Remember also that Jesus is the Word who was made flesh. He is also referred to as the bread of life. May we see the beauty in Jesus, sit and soak in His presence and be filled with His Spirit, which nourishes our soul. This week I actually offered a free ‘BEHOLD’ prayer session with anyone that has the Correa stamp in their collection at home. In these prayer sessions, this is basically what we do – sit and soak in the presence of Jesus, feed upon His Words and be filled with His Spirit, which nourishes our soul.
You can find out more about the ‘BEHOLD’ Prayer Sessions at https://blossoming.com.au/behold-prayer-sessions/
Are you hungry or thirsty today?
How does God want to meet you in that space and feed and nourish your spirit?
Ephesians 3:19 “to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” It’s not just ‘knowing about’ God with our heads, but also ‘knowing & experiencing & receiving’ His love in our hearts and in the depths of our being, in a supernatural relationship that changes who we are.
Next time you see this beautiful, regal, bright, bell-shaped blossom of the Correa, may we remember God’s pure, intense, unconditional love for us. May we be drawn to Him and feed upon Him and His Word and be fully filled with His love, through His Spirit.
What about the Correa do you resonate with?
Wendy Ventura
Blossoming, In Christ,
https://blossoming.com.au/