Luke 12:27 – Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (NIV)
Matthew 6:28 – And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (NIV)
A hobby of mine is growing day lilies. The modern day lily has come a long way since Matthew called it a lily of the field. It has become a hybrid, and has developed into a plant popular in the south. It has many lessons to teach us — one being the value of one day at a time. The lovely day lily brings forth its beauty with the rising sun, and dies when the sun goes down. It is here just a little while, yet it is so perfect during its short life.
Last spring I had day lilies that needed dividing. Days before they were ready to bloom, a shower came. It seemed to be the ideal time to transplant them. Not wanting to sacrifice the bloom, I dug up the entire plant and moved it, thinking that I could trick it into growing in the new place. The leaves were not tricked, but the amazing thing was the bloom stalk. It had already been programmed to bloom, and it was not going to be deterred. Out of the dead leaves, the stalk arose, tall and erect, and bloomed just as its nature had intended. What a sight it made, beauty and life springing forth from dead leaves. A little later the roots sent forth new growth, and a new plant emerged.
Just as the day lily is programmed by God to bloom one day at a time, we are put on earth for a season to do God's work. If we respond to the Spirit of Jesus Christ within, like the lily, we will be beautiful.
Prayer: Lord, let us consider the lily: how it blooms as it is programmed to do, perfect in its short time span, obedient to Your divine plan. May we likewise respond to Your Spirit in our lives. Amen.
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