I often feel enticed outside in order to behold beauty. One of the things I have learned to seek from these times is what I might learn from what I behold. By observing the processes of river and sky, bird and flower, I can better understand the ways God works and who He is. I approach as an apprentice of Jesus who made it all and holds it all together (John 1:3; Col. 1:17; Heb 1:3).
Psalm 19:1 NIV
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 33:5 MSG
"Earth is drenched in Yahweh's affectionate satisfaction"
One thing I've often overlooked are dandelions. Their name comes from the "lion-like teeth" leaves that make up their green base. They are a weed that take over grassy areas with ease.
Have you ever actually stopped and looked at one? Can you see how yellow they are? It's like holding a little sun.
After a while they turn white and stick their heads high to be carried by the wind in order to propagate themselves. It's pretty ingenious! They use the natural processes around them (wind) in order to make sure that their death is not final.
It takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks for the yellows to give way to the whites. Their short life span speaks to me of the transitory nature of human life. The Scriptures compare human life in this world to the life span of a flower that is here today and gone tomorrow (Isaiah 40:7-8). We shine for a while but soon our hair turns white and we either propagate or stagnate; we either pass along what we have learned and have become or we are forgotten forever on the earth.
Go to the Dandelions to see what you can learn from them. They are speaking of realities and of processes that we all share as children of God through trust in Christ.
Matthew 6:28-30 NIV
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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?
Matthew 6:28-30 NIV
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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?
