May 2020

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said;

“The Earth laughs in flowers.” 

One year, when my maternal grandma, Valda Norris, (Gran) travelled with my parents, to the Azalea Festival, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, she looked around at all of the colors, and said;

“Ohh! 

It’s like eating too much ice cream!”

Every time I think of that story, it makes me smile, as I think flowers are nice, but I would most likely take the ice cream.  I’m not sure what my Gran would do, if she had to make a choice.  She really loved flowers!

As we reflect on flowers, we find them amazing for their created beauty, variety, brilliant colors and fragrance.

Jesus Himself, chose to be known as;

The Rose of Sharon, and The Lily of the Valley.

God uses flowers, like the dogwood, or the poinsettia, tell the story of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Jesus told a Parable, which featured flowers:

Matthew 6:28-33

28 “And why do you worry about clothes?

See how the flowers of the field grow.

They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In this crazy spring of 2020, I notice the flowers are not worried about the Corona virus.  They are simply doing what flowers do – pushing-up through the ground, to announce their presence, in the most vibrant and colorful ways! But even as somewhat simple organisms, they are able to reflect God’s Glory and thereby, bring Glory to Him.

It was Jesus, Who asked us to consider the lilies of the field, because worry is not in their DNA, but if we don’t see past the lilies of the field, we might miss the focus of Jesus’ parable:

God is the real focus of Jesus’ story.

It is God, Who “clothes” the grass of the field.

We know, that flowers do not have a moral conscience, and therefore, they simply behave as they have been created to do: they praise the Lord, by reflecting His beauty.

And God only called these exquisite beauties “good”.

Whereas, after creating Adam and Eve, in His own image …

God describes humanity, as “Very good”.

We worry about uncertain times, we worry about wars and rumors of wars, disease, earthquake, famine and flood; because we were created, with a capacity to worry – but don’t forget what the Apostle Paul, inspired the Holy Spirit, said to Philippi – “Be anxious about nothing.”

I know, it’s easy for me to say and hard for you to do.

God does allow some bad things to happen, and we do not fully understand His purpose, but we do have His help!

Jesus said;

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

One of the things God can give you, is His protective care.

Some hardship will get through, but we have no idea, of the things which never reach us, due to God’s surrounding Presence.

Trust in the Lord and you will not be disappointed.

Bless your Hearts,

Pastor Michael Eurit