Flowers of the Field

Last Thursday while walking outside the house, I noticed an iridescent bottle fly seeking shelter from the wind on a purple cone flower in one of our planters.  It reminded me of a few scriptures from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and how temporal our surrounding conditions may be, yet how eternal our security and hope remains.     

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you… Matthew 6:30 ESV

Generally, this verse, along with Luke 12:28, is used to assist with worry or anxiety and rightfully so; although that day, I found myself asking a few other questions. How does this speak to so many different individuals by simply talking about clothing the grass of the field?  I imagine a rolling hill covered with a wide variety of wildflowers being painted by the one and only Bob Ross, of course, with many little friends over here and other little friends over there genteelly nestled up next to one another as the wind blows and creates waves of movement.      

To the artist – it’s beautiful imagination. 

To the thinker – it’s intriguing and dissected. 

To the weary – it brings peace. 

To the warrior – it’s a reminder of beauty and closeness. 

To the blind – it’s a guiding scent. 

So why must the flower die…Or does it? 

Oh, we must not forget the horticulturist or the farmer, the hungry, or the consuming pollinators. 

Although the petals fall, it’s just the beginning indicators of transformation.  We learn the consuming pollinators have done their jobs, and the flower sheds its outer coat. Seeds develop, and the next generation is beginning to grow. 

The horticulturist must harvest, and the farmer must prepare the soil for the next generation of seedlings. The purpose for the bottle fly to seek shelter happens to be part of the natural process. Clothing of the fields is designed for us all! Through our weakness or misunderstanding…it’s a gift not of our own but for us to share in all its beauty. There may be times we simply open our senses and enjoy the moment, but there may be moments when we fret or toil to seek acceptance.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, еxcept a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.  John 12:24-26 KJV

This parable is used by Jesus to teach three things. First, he teaches us that he must die. Secondly, he shows us God is in control. Finally, he shows us that his death has purpose.

The clothing of this world is merely the  indicators of the eternal promise to those of us that have trusted Christ as our Savior.

 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:6 ESV

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant. Psalm 103:15 ESV

Oh, I’m so grateful for God’s covenant, the eternal promise of everlasting life!  His word stands forever, and forever the Word of God stands. I’m thankful for the soul winners on the frontline standing! The Word of God stands with you and as Scripture states in Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.