March 14, 2017

I'm certainly not a botanist. Many people can quickly identify and name plant species. I sometimes have trouble distinguishing between plants and weeds. But, I would benefit spiritually from being a specific kind of botanist: "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!" (Luke 12.27-28) 

"Consider the lilies." Focus your attention on these beautiful wildflowers that appear for a time, and then quickly wither and are gathered to be burned. They have a brief, inherent beauty for which they do not labor. The point? Will our gracious Father not provide us with needed clothing? In fact, also "Consider the ravens" (Luke 12.24) whom God feeds. Will our Father also not put food on our tables? 

Ultimately, Jesus' great point is to prioritize the kingdom of God first (Luke 12.31). Personally, I found special joy and a greater awareness of this priority as I this morning prayed the model prayer, taught by Jesus: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." 

There is a place and priority for honest work (2 Thessalonians 3.10), but an obsessive drive that overrides the key kingdom priority is misguided and disobedient for the follower of Christ. 

May He gives us wisdom concerning our lifestyle, and freely direct our activities and priorities.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
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