Lessons from a Flower

I made some flower pens for my prayer group because I wanted something to give them at the end of the semester after spending all year getting to know these girls. Well, prayer group is a time where we give a little devotional and spend time praying for each other. So I was looking for something to talk to them about that would go with the gift that I was giving them. So where did I start? Flowers, of course. I began to look up Bible verses about flowers, and boy, was I disappointed. Everything about flowers was how they die. At the end of the day, college students don't really want to hear about how short their lives are. I mean, no one really does. But God kept showing me verse after verse about how little time we really have. But then I came across this verse:

Psalm 103:15 - As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Flourisheth. That word really stuck out to me. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, flourish means "to grow luxuriantly, thrive; to achieve success, prosper."

In Matthew Henry's Commentary, he says, "the flower of the garden is commonly more choice and valuable, and, though in its own nature withering, will last the longer for its being sheltered by the garden wall and the gardener’s care."

Yes, our lives are extremely short, but that is no time to waste! Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." In this life, we are to live our lives wisely. In the quote above, Matthew Henry is telling us to live under the shelter of the Gardener's care. This is wise living. He will take care of us. He will get rid of the bugs and weeds in our lives. He will cut and prune us so that we live a life that is holy, completely pleasing to Him.

We have to use the time that God has given us, not waste it. Follow His commandments. Serve Him and others with all your heart. Make a difference in someone's life. Leave a lasting impact. Live under the protection of our heavenly Gardener. Make the most of the time you have. So whenever you see a flower, let it remind you that your time is short, so flourish!