Scripture:
Luke 12:22-31 How interesting it is that Jesus compares Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, the richest and most glorious king of Israel, to a lily in the field. Jesus says that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of those. The lily was exactly what God created it to be and therefore had all the beauty and splendor that comes from being the exact thing God wanted it to be. Oh that we would learn this lesson as the very children of the Most High! We have only to look throughout creation to see God’s handiwork, but how quick we are to think that we have a better idea or a more beautiful plan. These flowers are here today and thrown in the oven tomorrow, so what use is it for them to be so beautiful? Should not other parts of creation that last longer have more beauty so they can make everything look more attractive to the eye? But that is my plan, not God’s. He has the complete idea and plan of creation in the palm of his hand so why must I analyze it to try and find fault? Why do I feel driven to understand every little working of this grand design? The answer is quite simple: because I want to see the face of my God. Any person can find the face of God by looking at what He has made. For example we can look at the diversity of humans and see the boundless creativity of the Lover of our souls. Or we can look at the exotic and fragile ecosystems of the Amazon and glimpse the infinite intricacy of the mind of God.
Finite though our minds are, He allows us to follow His will and do His work on this earth. When Elijah prayed for no rain, the heavens dried up for three and a half years because God answered his prayer. Paradoxically, it was not Elijah’s idea in the first place, because as we become more holy and seek the face of the Lord more and more we begin to conform to His image, actually getting closer and closer to who we were created to be. Yes! As we become less and less who we think we should be and follow the calling and giftings we have been given and deny the fleshly desires, the more we become who we truly are, shaking off the mask this we allow, and sometimes help, the world to put on us. As we are more like Him, the more we do what He did: pray when in trouble, sing praise when we are happy and lay hands on the sick to see them healed. We see how vital and effective our very own prayers are. How much we as Christians can affect the world around us, even to dramatic manifestations of the power of God as Elijah experienced. Let us become as that lily in the field, everything the Lord has created us to be. Amen.
1 comment:
Out of everything you said Nick, this really struck me:
"The lily was exactly what God created it to be and therefore had all the beauty and splendor that comes from being the exact thing God wanted it to be."
I bet if I think about it there are many many improvements I would have made to God's creation myself. But how can they be improvements if they are exactly what God wants them to be - how could I have any idea of ways to improve on anything if I had not experienced what God has already created around me, where else would my mind have any way to formulate any ideas like that if I cannot even marvel at the creation of my own mind?
It goes around to giving the glory back to God. But more relevant to us, is the fact that as you said nick, God also has the plan according to his perfect knowledge. All the things that I am worried about and preoccupied with and trying to make a headway through my own efforts, God knows how He wants it to go and I have to appreciate that that lies in pefection. Thinking that we have "a better idea or more beautiful plan" plants the seeds ultimately of rebellion. And thus you get Satan, the Fall, sin and the present sufferings of this world. Thank you Nick for helping me put things in perspective.
- Obinna
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