And now for another devotional drawn from nature. Our focus: a light in the darkness!
It's always nice to discover flowers in your path. I find golden ones a special blessing, for even when surrounded by shadows — as seems so frequent of late— their blazing blossoms shine like the sun. They brighten my paths and heart come rain or shine.
Flowers maintain this parallel in other ways. As they draw nourishment from our sun, these lovelies provide sustenance for many others among His creations — including us, inspired by their grace and beauty.
In Romans 1:20-22, Paul shared how God’s “invisible attributes” shine through nature. Flowers, golden or otherwise, provide fascinating illustrations of this, and Christ. Consider Psalm 119:105... "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." John 1:5... "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Matthew 4:16... "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Flowers reflect this in so many ways. They shine as beacons of Christ’s love. They witness of His creativity, imagination, and peace. And they offer moving lessons for us to follow. Just as these blooms help lift a world torn by anguish and strife, we may do likewise — through a smile, a kind word, a gracious act, a forgiving mind, a loving heart. All this may reverberate throughout society and point souls to our Lord and Savior.
Consider John 8:12... "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Combine that beautiful statement with Matthew 5:16... "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This underscores the reason we are here. In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul reminds us that "we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ahhh... I can't imagine a time when we needed that more. May we all be like flowers… steadfast, resolute, untroubled, ever pointing one and all to Christ.
Let us close with a simple prayer, the kind a flower might offer to all each and every day: May our Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May He bring you peace, now and evermore. Amen!
