I considered the amazing beauty of the earth--the home he created for us--from the simplicity of the grass, to the grandeur of the mountains, to the awe-inspiring vastness of the cosmos, stretching out beyond comprehension. All of it, made with us in mind. Uniquely fine-tuned, as if the stars themselves expected us. "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" His love is written in the night skies, found in the shade of the trees, felt in the refreshment of spring rain and the warmth of the summer sun.
His heart is laid bare in creation, as if saying, "I've lavished my love upon you, if only you would be Mine..." Yet how many of us walk through life oblivious? As my eyes refocused on the bouquet, I saw in the first wilting petals our rejection of him. My rejection--of his grace, his mercy, of his unfailing love. I felt his heartbreak when we turn away, seeking after our own lifeless desires. And yet, grace...
The wild flowers will bloom again; each seed holds the promise of rebirth! And so it is with us. He draws us back to him when we rightly deserve rejection, pours out his love and offers us new life through the death of his Son. There is no other response to the extravagance of his grace than to humbly lay down our lives before him.
My gaze fell from the vase to my journal. I scrawled a prayer: I lay my life down before you today, Lord--all of it. I am yours, and I will follow you...
- When you consider how God lavishes his affection on us through creation, what is your response?
- How does the idea of the earth and the universe as a form of God's provision and care help you trust him more with day-to-day needs?
- Search your heart. Is there any desire you've been seeking after in place of God? Will you lay it down before him today?