The Lilies of the Field

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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."

Matt 6:28-30

The other day I was in prayer in a field at the back of the church and reached down and picked up one of the first fruits of the Spring, a cluster of little flowers. The macro technology of my camera phone and its ability to see its intricacies brought my mind to Jesus' wonderful challenge to "consider the lilies of the field."

Jesus, the master teacher then goes on to a few basic points. First, "not even Solomon in all of his glory was clothed like one of these." When we read about Solomon, who built the temple in Jerusalem and amassed more gold than any human being in history, we think of a man who had glory or fame like no other. Yet Jesus tells us that even when man clothes himself in the most glorious fashion, God's creation of a simple flower has greater glory.

Then Jesus goes on to make his main point, "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." The context of Jesus' teaching here goes back to how we are anxious about many things, particularly food, and clothing. But I think we can extend that application to other areas of worry--money, relationships, our future, our retirement, our health, and whatever else fills our worrisome minds.

Ultimately Jesus leads the listener to one salient point, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them all... so seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow." (Mt 6:32–34) The challenge here is obvious, believing by faith that our "Father knows," and because He knows we will be provided for.

Once we are convinced of this very fact, then we are free to seek God first and be relieved of our worries and anxieties. What a better way to live! The key here is faith, believing God is able when we turn to Him and wait upon Him to tend to our daily needs. When we do that, there can only be a peace within that overtakes our hearts.