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“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.” – Matthew 6:28b (NKJV)

Walking past a gardenia bush in full bloom, I am overwhelmed by its’ fragrance. Flowers captivate me. So many different varieties intricately formed by their unique petals and known by their colors and scents. Flowers can be used to help us celebrate, mourn, encourage or simply bring beauty. Isaac Watts, in his hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God says this, “There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known.” Created by God, each flower points to the glory of the Creator by simply being what He created it to be. The daffodil never strives to be any color other than yellow, and the tulip doesn’t try to smell like a rose.

Like the rest of creation, we can bring glory to God and influence others for His kingdom when we trust Him enough to simply be who He created us to be. Charles Stanley writes, “The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.”

What does it look like to live simply and unaffectedly? Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) offers this, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Live simply and remain unaffected by resting in the purpose and design of the Potter, our Creator. No comparisons, no striving to be like someone else. Never asking the potter, “What are you making?” but simply loving Him and loving others—in our own unique way. Encouraging others and pointing them to the Creator through our distinct design, and our colorful and fragrant gifts.

“Lord, we long to make your glory known. May we trust you enough to live simple and unaffected lives, resting in who you created us to be.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life