Things of value don't always come easy. In fact, most of the time, you really have to work for them.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day. I walked outside just to take it all in- to feel the warmth of the sun, the coolness of a gentle breeze and the sounds of Washington, D.C.. I look down at my feet and see the smallest blue flower. If I would have taken one more step, I may have crushed it. If I never paused to see the beauty of the day, I would have missed it.
I ran inside the tent (I was at David's Tent) to grab my phone so that I could take a picture of this small flower. Not thinking about the details, I ran back outside to see a huge grassy field. How was I to find this small blue flower? I crouch down low and start to look. I saw a little white flower. Took a picture of it just in case I didn't find the blue flower. No blue flower in sight, I move on to another part of the field, crouch down low and search for this little blue flower. Once again I find little white flowers, and while they were cute, they weren't nearly as beautiful as the blue flower! This process repeated a few times. I still was finding small white flowers, but not small blue flowers. I didn't become discouraged, but I did feel like maybe finding one small blue flower in this field was like finding a needle in a haystack- nearly impossible. But then I saw a skinny gold streamer on the floor. It glistened in the sunlight. I went to pick it up, and as I did, I saw this lone, little blue flower. My heart rejoiced!
It would have been easy to settle for a small white flower, but it wouldn't have been nearly as meaningful. Things of particular value are not easy to find. You have to search for them. Sometimes lesser opportunities or interests will appear, and it could be easy to settle. But we have to remember that God's best really is the best! That good things come to those who wait on the Lord. That us trusting the Lord will never be in vain.
When we seek, we will find. When we knock on the door it will be opened. When we search for buried treasures, it's going to be quite a process. If we quit looking, quit seeking, give up trying- we are defeated. But if we persevere, hold on to God's promises, take Him at His Word, seek that which is valuable- we will not be disappointed. May I also add that if you have quit, it's not too late to jump back into what the Lord has set before you!
It's important to live aware, to be observant, to be thankful. It's important to remember!
One final thought. I saw the blue flower and it was beautiful, so beautiful in my opinion. I couldn't stop thinking about it, even in the midst of many cute, little white flowers. When you see Jesus, when you really know Him, nothing compares. And I find it hard to walk away when you really know Jesus. I would've been okay with the memory of the small blue flower, but I wanted to capture the moment. The search was a fun process. I enjoy pursuing Jesus and seeking Him. I know that the more I seek Him, the more I will find Him and the more I will love Him. I intend to always remember Him and live aware of His constant presence and steadfast love.
My prayer for you all is this: pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. Seek Him with all your heart, mind and strength. Let Him amaze you- He is full of wonder. Seek the treasures that are from Him and await you. Don't settle for second best or anything less than God's best. Never give up hope, never quit- but I pray that you are strengthened in Him and find grace to persevere and endure.
I love you all so much! Believe God for the IMPOSSIBLE! Believe He will fulfill EVERY promise given! Let your faith and hope arise. And while we're at it, may love in your heart arise! For it is faith, hope and love that remain.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day. I walked outside just to take it all in- to feel the warmth of the sun, the coolness of a gentle breeze and the sounds of Washington, D.C.. I look down at my feet and see the smallest blue flower. If I would have taken one more step, I may have crushed it. If I never paused to see the beauty of the day, I would have missed it.
I ran inside the tent (I was at David's Tent) to grab my phone so that I could take a picture of this small flower. Not thinking about the details, I ran back outside to see a huge grassy field. How was I to find this small blue flower? I crouch down low and start to look. I saw a little white flower. Took a picture of it just in case I didn't find the blue flower. No blue flower in sight, I move on to another part of the field, crouch down low and search for this little blue flower. Once again I find little white flowers, and while they were cute, they weren't nearly as beautiful as the blue flower! This process repeated a few times. I still was finding small white flowers, but not small blue flowers. I didn't become discouraged, but I did feel like maybe finding one small blue flower in this field was like finding a needle in a haystack- nearly impossible. But then I saw a skinny gold streamer on the floor. It glistened in the sunlight. I went to pick it up, and as I did, I saw this lone, little blue flower. My heart rejoiced!
It would have been easy to settle for a small white flower, but it wouldn't have been nearly as meaningful. Things of particular value are not easy to find. You have to search for them. Sometimes lesser opportunities or interests will appear, and it could be easy to settle. But we have to remember that God's best really is the best! That good things come to those who wait on the Lord. That us trusting the Lord will never be in vain.
When we seek, we will find. When we knock on the door it will be opened. When we search for buried treasures, it's going to be quite a process. If we quit looking, quit seeking, give up trying- we are defeated. But if we persevere, hold on to God's promises, take Him at His Word, seek that which is valuable- we will not be disappointed. May I also add that if you have quit, it's not too late to jump back into what the Lord has set before you!
It's important to live aware, to be observant, to be thankful. It's important to remember!
One final thought. I saw the blue flower and it was beautiful, so beautiful in my opinion. I couldn't stop thinking about it, even in the midst of many cute, little white flowers. When you see Jesus, when you really know Him, nothing compares. And I find it hard to walk away when you really know Jesus. I would've been okay with the memory of the small blue flower, but I wanted to capture the moment. The search was a fun process. I enjoy pursuing Jesus and seeking Him. I know that the more I seek Him, the more I will find Him and the more I will love Him. I intend to always remember Him and live aware of His constant presence and steadfast love.
My prayer for you all is this: pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. Seek Him with all your heart, mind and strength. Let Him amaze you- He is full of wonder. Seek the treasures that are from Him and await you. Don't settle for second best or anything less than God's best. Never give up hope, never quit- but I pray that you are strengthened in Him and find grace to persevere and endure.
I love you all so much! Believe God for the IMPOSSIBLE! Believe He will fulfill EVERY promise given! Let your faith and hope arise. And while we're at it, may love in your heart arise! For it is faith, hope and love that remain.