Cain or Cactus?

Genesis 4:6

Picture of Christmas Cactus blossoms

I noticed our Christmas cactus this early May week. This cactus has blossomed primarily during the Easter season, but has blossomed at least once in December. The reason I noticed it this week is because it is now blossoming. It would seem that God would like us to know that a name or a description of a thing does not necessarily describe how that object or person will perform under any particular circumstance. Christmas cactus? One would think that it should bloom in December. Oh, and one more thing. Look at the photo. You’ll notice that the majority of the blossoms are on the right side of the photo. There is a reason for that, sunshine. The left side of the plant sits on the dark side of the stool. The plant on the right side, although around the corner from the sunlight, bends to seek the sun. 

The story of Cain and Abel focuses on Cain’s inability to perceive God’s intent. One might consider that Cain was blind to the precedent set by God when He expelled the parents from the Garden. A blood sacrifice was made to cover their sin. Abel offered a blood sacrifice and Cain did not. I’ve heard it said that there was no law as dictated in Deuteronomy at this time. That would be true, except we’re talking about man’s direct relationship with God outside of the Garden of Eden. It was man’s second chance to come clean with God and once again man blew it.

God tells Cain in verse 6, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Cain, however, seems to be on the dark side of the family grounds. Rather than considering God’s words and changing his attitude toward the sacrifice of plant life, he goes off on Abel and seals the fate of mankind.

In a recent sermon, this scripture brought out that we should be paying attention to God’s Word and humbly consider how we should change, not how God should change the circumstances in which we live. Had Cain removed himself from the circumstance and humbly given a blood offering, his life would have been blessed instead of cursed to forever wander without success in agriculture.

Like the cactus that sits on the stool in a dark circumstance and searches out the light, consider how much better our circumstance may be if we search out the Light of Jesus. The pot contains the same soil throughout. The water comes from the same source. There is only so much light getting to the stool. Yet, it is obvious that the portion of the plant that grows toward the light gains in stature and productivity. Had Cain taken charge of his anger, taken charge of his circumstance and done well, he’d have been approved by God. 

You have the opportunity. You can take charge of your circumstance and do well, or you can wander over to the door and experience the sin that awaits. The cactus can’t complain about its circumstance, but it certainly aimed for a better existence.