Consider the Lilies
I was out on a walk recently to get away from the wildness and loudness of life and its seemingly endless demands. It was such a wonderful blessing to be able to step aside, walk, sit down, breathe, and just let it all go to God. I am so thankful for nature. What a tranquil blessing of peace that He has made available to us in His creation. I encourage you to get out in it as much as you can before the winter dawns upon us poor Ohians…
Anyway, as I sat there and unloaded life’s burdens to God, Abba began to speak to me. He opened my eyes to see that even while I am often stuck in my head over different trials and needs that fight for my attention, depending at times upon myself to take care of lifes many needs, there is an entire creation that God is tending to, noticing, and taking care of. No big or small detail of all things ever misses the gaze of His eyes. There were many turtles that were swimming among the lilies as He showed me this, and as I got up to walk and ponder He said, “I am not finished talking to you yet.” In that moment He had me look up “lilies” in the Bible, and this is what He showed me:
“Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year, or even one day? So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God’s care of you?
Think about the lilies. They grow and become beautiful, not because they work hard or strive to clothe themselves. Yet not even Solomon, wearing his kingly garments of splendor, could be compared to a field of lilies. If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can he not clothe you as well, O struggling one with so many doubts? I repeat: Don’t let worry enter your life.
Live above the anxious cares about your personal needs. People everywhere seem to worry about making a living, but your heavenly Father knows your every need and will take care of you. As you passionately seek his kingdom, above all else, he will supply your needs.”
Luke 12: 25-31 TPT
Have you been in a season of mishaps, set backs, and trials? Have you felt that you just don’t know what else you can do to make things change? Are you striving to change them and are seeing little to no avail or light at the end of the tunnel. If so, my encouragement to you is to just stop. Cease striving and know that He is God over your circumstances, trials, and setbacks. He is God over your every single need, big or small. He will provide for you! He will take care of you! Just ask Him and trust Him to move for whatever it is that you need because Jesus paid for your inheritance and He is more than willing and ready to pour out His favor to meet your every need.
You do not have to go through this life alone. You have a great Father who cares for all of your needs, big or small. You have a wonderful Father who loves and cares for you beyond your wildest imagination. This is not based on your performance or your ability to do a thing, rather it is based upon His finished work in Jesus and His endless and unconditional love for you. Trust Him to take care of you and all that you are going through. He will guide you every step of the way.
God bless.
- Pastor Shane
“So don’t ever be afraid, dearest friends! Your loving Father joyously gives you his kingdom with all its promises!”
Luke 12: 32 TPT
