Luke 12:27-31

Luke 12:27-31 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Is God clothing us or are we worrying about our clothes and setting our hearts on what we will eat or drink? Are we excessively concerned about this life and worldly essentials? Are we working hard to accumulate and experience as much as we can in this life? Is our primary focus on this world or on the kingdom of God? When we lack confidence that God can take care of us, Jesus asks us not to worry, but to behold the beauty of the lily, to consider how it grows. The lily grows naturally and quickly in good soil, without toil and worry. Such a life for us is like the seed Jesus talks about in Matthew 13: Other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. A mature lily plant flowers brilliantly, delicately, making the world more beautiful, fruitful, impressive. However, when we spend our efforts excessively worrying about the vicissitudes of life, Jesus says our lives are much like the seed that falls among thorns, choked by the plants around it. (Matthew 13:7) If we remain in a worrying mode, we will not come to maturity, and people will never see us clothed in beauty as the lily is clothed. They will never see the brilliant, attractive image of God in us. For certain, we will not bring his glory to a dark and dreary world.

What kind of soil do we require? Our lives should be built on faith in Christ's work at the cross. Jesus said, O you of little faith. If we are not of faith, we are in the wrong soil: earthly soil where we work and strive for the things of this world. This soil produces a faithless life, one that never comes to maturity. If we spend our energy and time serving and seeking the things of the world, Jesus says, we are as the pagans who have no god. The pagans watch out for themselves, but Jesus says, consider the lily that is planted in good ground, a soil of faith, it neither toils nor worries, yet produces beauty because God brings the plant to maturity in him.

To reiterate the theme of the last couple of breakfasts, we are worth more than a bird or a plant: we are beloved children of God, made in his image. As God performs his will in us, we shine for him. He promises to perfect the work He started in us if we will rely wholeheartedly on him in faith: good soil. Jesus suggests that to be mature plants who bring glory to God, we must seek his kingdom, God's will. We must enter into Christ's life by faith with full confidence in him, trusting his provision, knowing He will look after us on our earthly journey. He will always protect our spiritual beings because God never abandons his own. Might we feel abandoned sometimes? Yes, but God is always working on the eternal in us, on the eternal panorama. We can believe his promise to perfect the work he started in us, bringing us to full maturity as we endure to the end. As God incessantly works on our heavenly clothing, using the most delicate, translucent fabrics, He makes us heavenly citizens, comfortable in the kingdom of God. His still, small voice, the breath of life, weaves intricate and unique patterns. We look stunning in his clothing, as his creation; jaw-dropping more beautiful than the lily of the field. Consider this my friends of faith.