First day of Spring! Consider the lilies...
Today is the first day of spring. The world is fresh and new and in bloom!
Last Sunday, on a not quite spring afternoon, I took this picture of my favorite window at my church, featuring beautiful lilies and the birds of the air.
“And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field. 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—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)
In the Gospel of Matthew, right there in the middle of The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to "Consider the lilies."
He uses lilies as an example for us, a reason to to give up our worries. He says, "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field. 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—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)
As you start your spring cleaning and getting rid of the clutter in your life, consider the lilies. Get rid of the worries and fears you have by seeking God and his Kingdom first. Put your trust in him, and put your worries aside.
Lord, give us the strength this day to seek you, trust you, and love you and your children. Help us to serve your kingdom here on earth, putting aside our selfish wants and fears, that we may do your will. Amen.
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