It is the middle of June, and we have had 90 degree weather already. Summer came on a weekend this year, and we are grateful!
This week is cool with highs in the 60's, but the lupines and irises are blooming, the lilacs are just about to pop, the cherries are green and the apple blossoms have become tiny fruit.
Not only that, but road construction is in full swing. It has been nearly impossible to get in and out of church during the week (and one day it was literally impossible, with both exits blocked and me waiting in my car). It is tough when the church entrances are on two parallel streets, and they have them both dug up! But they tell me our street should be done on Friday.
It is the time of year to get things done. I have done more work on the parsonage lawn and garden, and on the lawnmowers, than any other year we have been here.
This is a good time to reflect on the beauty of creation, and remember the One who created it. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies." They don't make or buy their finery, they don't work for their nourishment, and they don't concern themselves with the future, and what will happen to them this fall.
All the lilies and the lupines concern themselves about is going deeper. Lupines have a tap root. I transplanted a few last year, and if I hadn't dug up the whole tap root, they would not have survived. And as you can see, they are strong and healthy today.
What are you concerned about today? Whatever it is, I have an encouraging bit of advice. Go deeper. Sink your roots into Jesus, and drink up all that He has to give you. Indulge in the Living Water that is Christ, and let Him nourish you, fill you and sustain you.
As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6:28-33, "And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Today as you drive past a field of flowers, consider the lupines. They don't worry about anything. They simply send their tap root deep into the life-giving earth.
Seek the kingdom of God first. Follow Jesus before anything. Send your tap root into the source of Living Water, and relax. He will take care of you.
This week is cool with highs in the 60's, but the lupines and irises are blooming, the lilacs are just about to pop, the cherries are green and the apple blossoms have become tiny fruit.
Not only that, but road construction is in full swing. It has been nearly impossible to get in and out of church during the week (and one day it was literally impossible, with both exits blocked and me waiting in my car). It is tough when the church entrances are on two parallel streets, and they have them both dug up! But they tell me our street should be done on Friday.
It is the time of year to get things done. I have done more work on the parsonage lawn and garden, and on the lawnmowers, than any other year we have been here.
This is a good time to reflect on the beauty of creation, and remember the One who created it. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies." They don't make or buy their finery, they don't work for their nourishment, and they don't concern themselves with the future, and what will happen to them this fall.
All the lilies and the lupines concern themselves about is going deeper. Lupines have a tap root. I transplanted a few last year, and if I hadn't dug up the whole tap root, they would not have survived. And as you can see, they are strong and healthy today.
What are you concerned about today? Whatever it is, I have an encouraging bit of advice. Go deeper. Sink your roots into Jesus, and drink up all that He has to give you. Indulge in the Living Water that is Christ, and let Him nourish you, fill you and sustain you.
As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6:28-33, "And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Today as you drive past a field of flowers, consider the lupines. They don't worry about anything. They simply send their tap root deep into the life-giving earth.
Seek the kingdom of God first. Follow Jesus before anything. Send your tap root into the source of Living Water, and relax. He will take care of you.
