Consider the Lilies

Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, GA grows thousands of lilies each year. What an incredible display can be found there! But you don't have to visit the gardens to find lilies, they grow wild alongside the roadways and in ditches all across our land.

Jesus said, "Consider the lilies, 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." (Luke 12:27)

In what context would He make such a statement? Well, it followed his encouragement regarding worries of this life. Jesus said, "Do not be anxious about your life" and he particularly addressed the matter of what we might eat or the clothes that we wear.

Now, at first I thought this kind of odd, but in many third world nations these are very real concerns. And in the United States, while these may not be desperate concerns, we too often find ourselves fretting over whether we'll have a burger or chicken fingers for lunch, or wear blue jeans or khaki pants tomorrow.

Worry only puts stress into your life which creates physical illness and emotional turmoil. Jesus would rather that we spend our time seeking after the most important thing -- His kingdom -- and we can trust Him for the rest.

Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:29-31)

So, consider the lilies. Pursue God, trust Him for your daily needs, and bloom for His glory.