Day Forty One - All Things Considered

“Consider how the lilies grow” (Lk 12: 27, NIV).

On this Mindfulness Monday, let’s consider Jesus’ familiar words. How we need to hear them in this season when we are concerned about so much, surrounded as we are by anxiety and fear that seems endless and when so much of life as we knew it has changed and the future is uncertain. Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life …” (Lk 12: 22) and, as an example, he told them to consider the wildflowers, saying:

“Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance — but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?" (Lk 12: 25-28, The Message)

To consider something means we need to spend some time contemplating, examining, mulling it over, studying, meditating and discovering.

God has always spoken through the ordinary and the everyday. Jesus used illustrations from nature all the time in His teaching, drawing attention to the flowers, wheat fields, vines, clay, birds, water and the changing seasons. Wherever we live and whatever our particular circumstances in early spring we probably won’t be far away from a “host of golden daffodils” to quote William Wordsworth. These heralds of the joy and hope of spring will work very well for our contemplation. Take the opportunity to marvel at their beauty, intricacy and complexity. For a short time forget self, set aside any worries and anxious thoughts and accept the sense of renewal they bring. Thank God for His faithfulness, the dependability of the seasons and rejuvenation of the earth. Consider what God has done. Wonder is all around us, whether we find it in a window box, on a patio, or in the garden, hedgerow or on a hillside. May all that we discover lead us into deeper spiritual awareness and help us to seek God’s kingdom.

“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” (Luke 12: 29-31, NIV)

Prayer:

Almighty, most holy, most high God, thank you for paying attention to small things. Thank you for valuing the insignificant. Thank you for being interested in the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. Thank you for caring about me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(Richard Foster, (1992), Prayer, p. 188)

Ruth Leeming