Lois is dormant again after generating much attention this past week at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Lois is the nickname given to the Amorphophallus titanum by the staff at the Houston Museum. This unusual flower is commonly called the “corpse flower” for its rotting flesh-like smell when it blooms. “Lois the Corpse Flower” bloomed on Friday July 24th with several thousand people queuing up to experience her in person at the Cockerel Butterfly Exhibit at the Museum. Multiplied thousands of other interested observers have followed her saga in the media. The exhibit was open 24 hours a day and a webcam was also in place to capture the precise time for the blooming of the 5 foot tall bud. The corpse flower is a quirk of nature with a dramatically foul stench instead of the pleasant smells associated with other flora. Lois will soon no longer be on exhibit, but officials are hopeful that she will bloom again next spring.
Lois the Corpse Flower paints a graphic picture of the nature of the effect of sin in the life of every human. The stench of the Amorphophallus titanum comes when it is in full bloom. Likewise, spiritual death is the full bloom of sin. The stench of our sin separates all humanity from God. It is God’s Grace that overcomes the odor, transforming death into life.
Paul paints a word picture of the aroma of life in his comparison of spiritual life in Christ Jesus with the victory parades of the Roman legions. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Thus believers bring the perfume of life to our world as we share the love of Christ in a world that is decaying because of the rebellion of all humanity and the sinfulness of every individual .
Our purpose is not to merely observe all the corpse plants but proclaim the transforming power of Jesus to all the “Lois the Corpse Plant” people in our circle of influence. The bloom of sin is death, but the gift of God is life in its fullness!