8/11/09

Consider the lilies of the field...


A parishioner and FaceBook friend (MDR) posted some photos she took of lilies growing on the shore of Lake Willoughby in northern Vermont.

Her family has a summer camp there and these lilies are blooming next door in the garden of a beloved 99 year old neighbor.




MDR captioned the photos simply: "I'm considering the lilies..."

A friend replied, "And.. how were they?"

MDR wisely answered, "They were, in fact, neither toiling nor spinning..."







Yet another FaceBooker posted, "Thanks for sharing these photos, now we can consider the lilies too..."

So, consider this your invitation to "Consider the lilies of the field..."






Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day. And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day. (Matthew 6:25-34)



1. Consider the lilies of the field
How they grow
Consider the birds in the sky
How they fly

Chorus:
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the birds in the sky
And he will feed those who trust Him
And guide them with his eye


2. Consider the sheep of his fold
How they follow, where he leads
Though the path may wind across the mountain
He knows the meadows where they feed

3. Consider the sweet tender children
Who must suffer on this earth
The pains of all of them he carried
From the day of his birth

He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the lambs of his fold
And he will heal those who trust him
And make their hearts as gold

Composer: Roger Hoffman

H/T to MDR for the photos and the inspiration for this post!

-Concord Pastor

5 comments:

  1. Great post Austin! Thank you for lovely thoughts

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  2. Thanks for picking up on my little FB post -- so much more powerful in your able, amplifying hands! A great reminder for any time of year -- the lilies always take me there!
    MDR

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  3. I'm grateful to have taken the time tonight to "consider the lilies." Embedded in the beautiful images, scripture, and chorale music was a powerful reminder to resist the urge to succumb to anxieties, often of our own making. In a society that also seems to value micromanaging everything and everyone toward some ideal perfection, I appreciated the appeal of "giving over," and trusting in Jesus to know our cares, and to provide the grace necessary for us to live a meaningful life. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  4. Thanks MDR! Welcome home! ROB

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  5. A reminder to...let go and let God! So hard to do in today's world. We seem to grasp at everything only in the end to find that what we need is HIM. Thanks....

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