The Wonders of God’s Creation
The Creator of all things could immediately prepare that gourd for Jonah, but if you were to plant seeds it would take much longer to have a gourd. Perhaps you are acquainted with this odd “fruit” often covered with warts and painted in pretty colors — that is sometimes used as a decoration. They can either be raised in your home garden or purchased at a store.
Growing on the ground like squash or pumpkins, gourds have been popular around the world for centuries. However, they are seldom used for food as the taste is far too bitter. In America they are sometimes used as baby rattles or toys, but more often for decorative purposes since they grow in a variety of shapes — round, oval, or tube-like. After ripening, a curing period is required after which the outer skin is peeled off. Then they are ready for decorating, perhaps by carving beautiful designs on them before painting. Some prepared by skilled carvers and painters make beautiful ornaments for various parts of a house, or perhaps to hang from a porch ceiling.
Musicians sometimes make large gourds into drums, rattles, or use them for the sound chamber of guitar-like instruments. Women in some southern countries make them into hats, cutting large ones in two and painting them in brilliant colors and designs. Other women in Asian countries cut large ones the same way, but use them as containers on their heads for packages, or even for carrying water. These women can balance loads on their heads so well that they often walk long distances and never use their hands to hold them in place.
Other common uses are for floats for fishermen’s nets and for dippers, spoons and bowls for the kitchen. Some have even used them for wheelbarrow wheels. Others are made into bird houses. They are placed in the crotch of a tree, hung from a branch, or mounted on a pole near a house or barn after boring the right-sized hole for the bird to enter.
Gourds, with their many varieties and uses, represent just one kind of plant among an endless variety the Creator has put on the earth to give service and pleasure to mankind. Yet few people pay attention to the Bible verse that says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:2020Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20).
How thankful we should be for all His wonderful provisions, but most of all for God’s love in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to give His life on Calvary’s cross where He bore the sins of all who will confess themselves as sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. If you have not yet accepted this great love, do so today. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML-01/22/1989