Consider The Lilies...

“Trout lilies are extremely photogenic plants that dapple the early spring woods with their beautiful yellow” is how one nature guide describes these gorgeous flowers. Lilies have always been viewed as particularly attractive.

Jesus even mentions them in the Sermon on the Mount, where He says:

“Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or weave or sew, and yet their garments are stunning. Even King Solomon, dressed in his most regal garb, was not as lovely as these lilies.” 

 
While Jesus certainly appreciates nature, His intent here is not to give a speech on floral esthetics. When we look at the larger context we discover that His concern is far more central to life: He doesn’t want us to be distracted by peripheral issues, but have a clear focus for our existence.

Let these words of Jesus (from Matt.6:24-34, The Message) sink into your soul:

“No one can serve two masters. If you try, you will wind up loving the first master and hating the second, or vice versa. People try to serve both God and money—but you can’t. You must choose one or the other. Here is the bottom line: do not worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will drink. Don’t worry about how you clothe your body. Living is about more than merely eating, and the body is about more than dressing up.  Look at the birds in the sky. They do not store food for winter. They don’t plant gardens. They do not sow or reap—and yet, they are always fed because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are even more precious to Him than a beautiful bird. If He looks after them, of course He will look after you. Worrying does not do any good; who here can claim to add even an hour to his life by worrying? Nor should you worry about clothes. Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or weave or sew, and yet their garments are stunning. Even King Solomon, dressed in his most regal garb, was not as lovely as these lilies.  And think about grassy fields—the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have no trust? So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you, too. So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.”

Money, food and clothing are priorities for people in our materialistic society. That’s what they are going for at full tilt! That’s what they are constantly frantic about! That’s what they worry about all the time! That’s what consumes their lives. In a sense: the consumers are consumed by their consumption. It’s a pathetic way to live. 

Jesus gives us a totally different focus and perspective, and confronts us with a decision: We cannot serve two masters. We must make a choice. And He wants us to seek first the kingdom of God, to focus on God’s rule and priorities, to align ourselves with the one and only God reality, to do what God wants us to do, to live faithfully – full of faith in God. And then God will take care of us. 

Meeting our material needs is His responsibility – our responsibility is to seek Him first. 

The lilies of the field do not worry, suffer from stomach ulcers or have nervous breakdowns. They simply align themselves with the God-created reality, the nutrients in the soil, the hydrological and climatic conditions, etc. and the by-product is a stunningly beautiful existence. 

Where we align ourselves with God, focus on Him, live the kind of life He intends for us to live, we won’t need to worry about the material aspects of life. God takes care of us and He makes all things beautiful. No need to worry – instead seek His kingdom first, align yourself with God’s rule, 

“humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1.Pet.5:6+7 NLT). 

It’s a beautiful life!