"Altogether Lovely"

   Jesus said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.” The perfect and graceful forms, the delicateness, and sweetness of a rose is all that Christ is. “In the loveliness of nature you may learn more of the wisdom of God than the schoolmen know.” On each petal of a flower God has written a special message for you and me. It is written in such a way that your heart can read but only as it unlearns Satan’s evil lessons of distrust, pride and selfishness.

   God has given us singing birds, the gentle blossoms, and all the beautiful things in this dark world to brighten and gladden our path in this life. He didn't have to give us these things. But it is the overflowing heart of love of the Father. “He has filled the earth and air and sky with glimpses of beauty to tell you of His loving thought for you.”

    Through the delicate flowers God wants our attention to be of the loveliness of Christlike character. Jesus has given such  beauty to flowers and He wants us to be just as beautiful and more! Clothed with the beautiful character of Christ.

   Jesus said, “Consider how the lilies grow.” They don’t start out beautiful. They first spring up from the cold dark earth and as they grow upward they unfold in loveliness and sweet fragrance. When you look at a ugly brown bulb there’s no beauty that you can see and it seems impossible that anything beautiful could become of it. That reminds me of us humans. We start out as little ugly bulbs. Seems there's no beauty and nothing could ever become of you. But as you grow upward and draw from the Son you will be transformed into a beautiful sweet smelling flower, in the likeness of Jesus. And wherever you are is sweet fragrance and happy hearts. For wherever Jesus’ presence is love and peace.

   God wants us to have our lives beautiful with the graces of the flowers. As beautiful as the flowers may be, Jesus is always more beautiful! He is “altogether lovely.”

   Let us seek to grow upward toward the Son of righteousness that we may grow to the full stature being men and women of true beauty reflecting the character of Christ, the author of love and beauty.