Icelanders have been utilizing
their abundance of geothermal energy for many good causes. Not only do they use
this energy to generate electricity, to heat their homes, and to fill their hot
water tanks, they also utilize it to heat greenhouses for the purpose of growing
fruits and vegetables.
Utilizing this kind of energy for greenhouse
cultivation began in 1924, and now more than 175 000 square meters of the
country are used for this sole purpose: growing tropical plants, flowers, fruit
and vegetables, all geo-thermically! In a land where light is almost
non-existent during the winter months, where winds are almost always present,
and temperatures are far from ideal for the cultivation of plants, an abundance
of fruit and vegetables is possible.
In these naturally-heated greenhouses, plant life
thrives. There is no lack of heat, water or light. Everything they need to grow
is provided for, and anything that could hurt them has been removed. There is
nothing to keep them from growing, and grow they do!
We, as humans, however, in similar situations, would
look through the window panes of the greenhouse and sigh: "It feels so
claustrophobic in here! It looks so much nicer outside! Why do I have to be
stuck in here, anyway? It's not fair! I want to be free!"
Our cozy shelter suddenly becomes a threat to our
well-being, and a deep desire to break free seeds itself in our hearts. The very
rules that permit us to thrive become a threat to us. "I don't need geothermal
heat!" We cry. "I don't need geothermal water! I don't need geothermal lights,
either! I want to be free!"
But once free, we would wither and die in the harsh
weather conditions. Isn't that what happened in Eden?
Jesus is trying to bring us back into that cozy
shelter where growth is possible:
"If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John
14:15 NIV)
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one
who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love
him and show myself to him." (John 14:21 NIV)
"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who
does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own;
they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:23-24 NIV)
Oh, we humans, we don't like to obey! Speed limits are
there to be broken. No trespassing signs are indications of where it would be
the most fun to snoop around. Those who are honest are the weak ones!
But are we truly happy living this way? Do we feel
loved? Do we love others in such a way that we feel fulfilled? Are we truthfully
thriving, or are we withering away in a world where no one seems to care?
The truth of it all is that when God urges us to obey,
it is for our own good. Listening to His voice will fill us with love undefined.
It will make us thrive beyond anything we could ever imagine.
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love,
just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (John 15:10
NIV)
Obedience is all about love. Love from our Maker and
Saviour, and love for others and ourselves. We either love or we rebel. It's as
simple as that. It's really our choice.
Hum. Geothermal heat. Does this mean I can keep my
windows open during the winter? In Iceland, the answer is, "Most certainly!"
Would you like to experience such abundant love?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.