This morning, as I was walking, I continued to hear one word repeat in my mind, “Consider”. And then, I was drawn to all of the beautiful trees, flowers and plants that surrounded me on my walk.
I’m constantly amazed that there’s always something in bloom here in Sydney. To me, the items in nature I saw on this autumn day would be the equivalent of the middle of spring in Chicago, where I’m originally from. So, I began to consider, to pause and to think about each and every one of them.
From there, I sensed the invitation, God was inviting me to ponder the verses in Matthew 6 about how He cares for all of the nature all around us. He says:
“Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned 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 furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:27-31
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll remember from the article, How I Have My Devotional Study When I Have Lots of Time that I learned that God’s promises speak truth to our fears.
At the end of yesterday’s devotion, I asked God, “Which of my fears are you trying to speak to, and what are you trying to say?”
Today, God answered my question as I walked, and it started with God’s invitation to “Consider”. So, that became my devotional. I looked up Matthew 6:27-31, and I began to consider all of the nature I was surrounded with, and I began to think, if God can take care of all of these things, then how much more can He take care of me?
The invitation to “consider”
I want to invite you to also consider — look at the flowers, the plants, the trees and the leaves. See the delicate design God has put into each one of them. Look at how each one has grown without much effort of their own. How much more does God care for you?
I invite you, just as God invited me, to seek first God’s kingdom and allow Him to care for all of your needs, just as He cares for the beautiful trees and flowers he has surrounded us with.