Start the New Year with Lessons from Flowers

The Bible contains many verses related to flowers. Even though it does not specifically mention their different kinds, we can learn from God’s view of flowers and how it relates to our guide for life in the new year!

A Flower’s Life Is Only for a Moment - Life Is Short, Make the Best Use of It

For He Himself knows what we are made of; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it is no more, and its place remembers it no longer. – Psalm 103:14-16 

... and the rich in his lowliness, because he will pass away like a flower of the grass. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass, so that its flower falls and its beauty perishes. So it is with the rich man; in the midst of all his pursuits he will fade away. – James 1:10-11 

The two verses above remind us that life for us as human beings is only temporary. Like a flower in the field that will wither and die, so it is with human beings, who will grow old and die. 

Yet, though its life is short, during its lifetime a flower provides many benefits for the environment around it. A flower gives its nectar as food for bees, which then becomes the raw material for honey. It can be enjoyed as tea, become the beginning of fruits, and decorate gardens and homes. Flowers can also bring happiness or comfort. No wonder flowers are always present at weddings, birthdays, official celebrations, and times of mourning. 

Just like flowers, our lives are short, yet they can have an extraordinary impact if we use them well. We can become a blessing and an inspiration to many people. Encouraging many people to have a more meaningful life, leading them to know God, be a good friend, and love sincerely. We use our lifetime to develop our talents for God’s glory, and to help others in need. 

There are people whose actions have made them remembered throughout the ages, for example Mother Teresa, the Apostle Paul, Florence Nightingale, and others. We do not have to become like them, though it would be very noble if you want to contribute to the world as they did. Perhaps one day, the world will no longer remember us, but God takes note of and rewards even the smallest thing we do (Matthew 10:32-43).

So, let us use every moment of this short life to be a blessing to many people!

God Clothes the Flowers of the Field - Do Not Worry

And why do you worry 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 dressed as beautifully as one of these. So if that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? – Matthew 6:28-30  

In the English version, instead of bakung it is called a lily, a flower with a unique shape and strong petals. And we, human beings, are greater than lilies. We are creatures God created in the likeness and image of God. 

If God clothes flowers, which are here today and gone tomorrow, with such beauty, will He not even more “clothe” us? If God cares so deeply for His small, fragile creations that live far shorter lives than humans, will He not care very deeply for us? 

Of course, this does not mean we do not need to do anything. We still have to do our best, but we do not need to worry, because God always watches over and accompanies our every step.

What makes you so worried about life? Let us look at God’s presence with us up to this point. In times of joy and hardship alike, have we not always been able to feel the protection of God’s hand? Just as God cares for the flowers, He will also always care for us, today, in the years to come, and even forevermore.

Flowers Will Wither, and So Will We, Only the Word of God Is Eternal

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. – Isaiah 40:8 

For: “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” This is the word of the gospel that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:24-25 

In this world, everything will pass away. Grass will dry up. Flowers will fade. Human beings will be no more. In fact, there will come a time when even this beautiful earth will vanish. Yet there is one thing that is not worn away by time, namely the word of the Lord. 

Knowing that there is one thing that will never perish forever, are you willing to follow it wholeheartedly? The words of the Lord will not pass away. Even at the end of the age, we will be judged by the word of the Lord (John 12:48). His word remains in force, both in our lives in this present world and in the life to come.

Today, how do we view the word of the Lord? As we welcome the new year, let us commit to studying the word of the Lord seriously and living it out in our lives. 

Soon we will welcome the new year. Through God’s perspective on flowers, we learn how to live in the coming year. If we live in the fear of the Lord, our lives will not be in vain, because we will receive eternal salvation from Him. We also do not need to worry, because God always watches over us. And remember, everything under heaven will pass away, but not the word of the Lord.

Happy New Year!

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Related Articles:

• This Life Is a One-Time Opportunity
• Be Wise with Time: Make Every Moment Count
• Often Worried? Learn from the Sparrows
• Three Ways to Start the New Year with Joy

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