I rode all around the 80 acres thinking I would see tons of wildflowers. But there were waves and waves of tall grass, thistles, and trees. I turned a corner and started down the hill and my eye darted to the only vibrant color amongst the miles of dry grass. One flower. Just one.
I slowed the Gator, hopped out, and smiled. Here it was. Strangely all alone on the prairie, but strong and beautiful. In fact, I think it’s solitude made it seem even more special– the fact that it was all alone in it’s splendor. A cone flower usually isn’t my favorite, it isn’t the most spectacular flower, but here, it stuck out. It was different than the same old grass. It seemed to smile in the sunlight.
Of course I see God so clearly in nature. I think we are supposed to. After all, when we look at nature, we are seeing what God has created, his handiwork.
We are his handiwork, too. And I wonder if when people look at me– do they see cream grass, the same as all the world around me? Or do they see a vibrant flower– a life curiously different?
Do they see more love than intolerance? Do they see more patience than nerves? More trust than stress? And more forgiveness than not? I hope so.
I read one of my favorite passages this morning as I prepared for the battle of the day…
Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
As the people who God loves so intensely, we are supposed to CLOTHE ourselves with the good things God has given us to put on. He has given us compassion and kindness and humility. He has been gentle and patient with us. And yes He has forgiven us. He’s given us all the good things to clothe us and make us look different than the world around us… most importantly, love.
And when we put all these gifts of God on through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will look more like Him and less like the world around. We will be the flower amongst the never-ending grass. And we will be so beautiful that people all around us will stop and admire and want to be a little closer to get a better glance.
And as the world comes a little closer to our love and kindness and gentleness and compassion and humility, our seeds will fall at their feet and start to grow new faith and beauty all around us.
It only takes one flower in a mile of grass to show God’s sweetness to the world. Only one flower to let her seeds fall and scatter to the wind. You are it. You are dearly loved. You are God’s chosen one. Put on all His colors of goodness and look curiously different to the world around.
Andrea Chatelain 