Consider the Lilies

My mother-in-law is in care for some serious issues. For a couple of days answers have been in short supply as the medical professionals try to find the cause of her present state. A text in my phone came in the evening while I sat in a hospital waiting area. It said, “Take a picture of the sunflowers before sunset.” Cryptic, right?  But, then I remembered that along the drive into the hospital campus a field of sunflowers grew.  When I left for home I took the advice, parked my car, and took a few moments to appreciate the beauty and to reset my soul in hope.

Remember Jesus’ words? “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Matthew 6:28-30, KJV)

The challenges of life, regardless of age or circumstance, will threaten to overwhelm us from time to time. We need the reminder to take a break and ‘consider the lilies,’ or as in my case, ‘take a picture of the sunflowers!’ This does not mean that we disengage in studied apathy or pretend that all is well.  I am quite concerned about my 88 year old Mom’s health and well-being, saddened by her suffering! But I am comforted by the knowledge that God in Heaven cares for her, for me. He makes life go on, prepares a way, provides for our needs IF we will trust Him.

I hope that your life is full of sunshine and that the way before you is smooth! But … yes, here it goes … eventually the clouds will gather, the dark will come, the way will get steep. What then? Will you fall apart, will you be adrift in fear? Not if you have taken time to consider the lilies along the way. You will know a Friend that is close, a Savior that gives peace, and Hope that is greater than your troubles.

After she had a medical crisis in the emergency room, I watched Mom gather herself and saw her praying quietly even as the chaos of the staff response swirled around her. She knows the One who hold tomorrow in His hand.  When we finally settled into a room and all was quiet, I played some old hymns and listened to her quietly sing along with the words, as her hands moved in rhythm to the music; her soul comforted by the Presence of the Eternal Spirit.

Friend, today ‘consider the lilies…’ that do not stress or fear. The full context of those words is our word from the Word today. Take a few moments to read Jesus’ invitation, to meditate on the assurance He offers. May your day be full of faith, centered in His love.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes?

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34 NIV)

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Consider The Lilies

 Consider the lilies they don't toil nor spin
And there's not a king with more splendor than them
Consider the sparrows they don't plant nor sow
But they're fed by the Master who watches them grow

We have a heavenly Father above
With eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love
He really cares when your head is bowed low
Consider the lilies and then you will know

May I introduce you to this Friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars tells the sun when to shine
And kisses the flowers each morning with dew
But He's not too busy to care about you

Joel Hemphill © 1977 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

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