Jesus said, "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are." (New Living Translation.)
When I see the variety of beautiful lilies in our garden at this time of year, my mind turns to the more familiar translation of the words of Jesus, "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow…". These words of Jesus and the previous ones about the ravens, are meant to show us how we ought to have faith and not worry about our physical needs. "If God cares so wonderfully for flowers,…he will certainly care for you." (NLT)
Even more than showing us that we should have faith that God cares what happens to us in this life, Jesus reminds us, in the words prior to those about the ravens and lilies, how foolish a person is if he stores up wealth but doesn’t have a rich relationship with God. Luke 12: 21.
It is sensible and a good practice to be careful about our money—to save and not be frivolous with it; to make sure that family, food, bills, and housing are taken care of first before money is spent on entertainment, candy, and toys. Christ does not fault us for that. However, if all we worry about is building up our wealth and give no thought for our relationship with God then, in the words of Jesus, “We are fools.”
How much thought do we give to our relationship with God? Is our connection with God a Sunday only connection? Is our time of communication with God only when we have a need; when we or a loved one is sick; when we are in a difficult situation or the earth is experiencing another disaster?
We need to build up our relationship with God; our time with God should be one of daily presence with him in good times as well as bad. Spending time with God should be one of great joy and desire—reading his word and meditating on it, speaking to God and listening for his guidance, and interceding for those in need.
Let us follow Christ’s suggestion and have a rich relationship with God; and let us have faith that God cares for us as much as he cares for the lilies and the ravens and all other parts of his creation.
3 comments:
"A rich relationship with God" - a warm and wonderful thought, and a most blessed state of being.
What beautiful pictures too.
Thanks Judith.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder! It is a text that is very important for me personally, and it is very true that in crisis mode I am closer to God, but as I gain strength my relationship with Christ fades out significantly. He never leaves me, but I am less aware that I need him.
Thanks Peter and Suzanne for your comments. It is true that we feel closer to God when we are in crisis mode and also that we are in a blessed state of being when we are in a rich relationship with God. As we get older (to which I can attest) our relationship with God seems to strengthen.
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