In the Corner of a Field
In the Corner of a Field
He drew His followers apart from the frantic pace of ministry and led them to a quiet corner of a field. He stopped, perhaps knelt, and touched a seemingly insignificant wildflower.
Observe how the lilies of the field grow … (Matthew 6:28, NASB).
I can imagine the disciples shooting glances at each other as they got down on their knees with the Master among those tiny flowers. Now what? Can’t you see big, burly Peter dropping to his knees, peering self-consciously at the fragile blossoms? Most of those men had probably never given much thought to simple field flowers. It had certainly never dawned on them to stop in the middle of a hectic day to observe the frilly little things.
But the Lord knew what He was asking.
Look at this, Peter. Come closer, Philip. Kneel down a minute, Bartholomew. Over here, Matthew. Do you see this little lily? It’s never worked a day in its life. Doesn’t know a thing about the morning commute. But gentlemen … even Solomon in all his storied splendor couldn’t hold a candle to the glory of this tiny bloom. And if that’s how God dresses a humble flower in the corner of a field, don’t you think He’ll meet your needs, too?
Lilies—and the way they grow—can teach us something about the way the Lord wants us to grow. You may be one of those tucked away out of the sight of others, feeling like you’re stuck in some corner of a field. There you are, bobbing in the wind … quiet, little insignificant you, unseen by most and unappreciated by many.
But grow you do. Why? Because instead of all the “laboring and spinning and toiling”—which, as Jesus pointed out, does not help one grow in the least—you, like a flower in the field, simply turn your face toward the Son.
It is His light which causes you to grow.
It is in Him, not in busy activities, that you find your strength.
His grace and life are the source of your increase.
Have you considered the way a wildflower grows? Peering into its dainty face can remind you Who’s really in control … the One who saw fit to place you in that quiet corner of your world.
The God who clothes the wildflowers and makes them grow is the Father who cares for every intimate detail of your life.
That’s worth kneeling down to consider.