Wildflowers

25 For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Mt. 6:25-33).

My favorite time of the year to go hiking is when the wildflowers are blooming! I love seeing the added color that the wildflowers bring to the valleys, to the rocks, and to the paths. On a recent hike, I saw some flowers starting both to grow and to blossom in the strangest of places. And, it made me think: if wildflowers can grow in such unexpected places, so can we grow in this “unexpected” and unprecedented time of our lives.

So, where do you imagine or envision “wildflowers” growing? Have you noticed the intrinsic and incredible beauty and power of wildflowers? Wildflowers are able to grow in so many unexpected places. Have you ever seen the outrageous places where wildflowers are able to grow? Just think about some of the flowering plants in your garden. After all, roses are delicate plants that require care and maintenance, but wildflowers are strong and resilient.

The difference between a wildflower and a rose is the strength that’s given to them. A rose is beautiful and it smells amazing, but they are very fragile. Roses grow best when they are planted in prepared and fertilized soil in a location where they are in full sunlight for at least five hours a day.

Roses prefer not to compete for nutrients, so they do well when placed away from trees or other plants with shallow root systems.

Wildflowers, however, can grow in the valleys, in the middle of a rocky patch, or on a mountainside or snowy hillside. Wildflowers have no one to tend to them or to shelter them, but instead, they rely on God’s provision and shelter. And, He supplies all of their needs in order to grow strong, even in the worst of conditions, and during the oddest of circumstances.

Do you see the connection? Wildflowers are gorgeous and they catch our eyes. We are called to be God’s wildflowers here on earth in order to bring His Word to those who are in need of love, of shelter, and of provision.

God’s Wildflower

My wildflower, be beauty on earth

You are clothed with my strength

You are clothed with my love

You are clothed with my Word

Be my strength and power on earth

You are growing in my grace

You are nourished by my Words

You are filled with joy and love.

Don’t worry about who sees you

Or what you are able to do to bloom

Be dead to the world and alive to me

I planted you here to be my light.

Like, wildflowers, we should allow ourselves room to grow in all of the places where people think we would – or could – NEVER grow. More than to the wildflowers, obviously, God is partial to you. God’s own Word says: He chose you and appointed you. God loves you more than all of the other creation.

God has chosen us to be the beauty and strength of His Gospel. We are God’s wildflowers! Our hope comes from His strength, love and His Word.

Prayer:

Dear God, wrap us in your love and strength to continue on our journeys in this unexpected time. May we be reminded of the grace that you have given to us to show your beauty and love to this world. May we be nourished by your Word to share the precious love that you have for creation. May we be reminded that we are planted here to be your light and to bear fruit. Grant us your strength, love, and your words to share with those around us. Amen.