“Behold the fowls of the air…   Consider the lilies of the field.”  Matthew 6:26,28

consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they simply are!  think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon – all these are, and what a ministration they exert.  so often we mar G-D’s designed influence through us by our self-conscious effort to be consistent and useful.  Jesus says that there is only one way to develop spiritually, and that is by concentration on G-D.  “do not bother about being of use to others; believe on Me” – pay attention to the Source, and out of you will flow rivers of living water.  we cannot get at the springs of our natural life by common sense, and Jesus is teaching that growth in spiritual life does not depend on our watching it, but on concentration on our Father in heaven.  our heavenly Father knows the circumstances we are in, and if we keep concentrated on Him we will grow spiritually as the lilies.

the people who influence us most are not those who buttonhole us and talk to us, but those who live their lives like the stars in heaven and the lilies in the field, perfectly simply and unaffectedly.  those are the lives that mold us.

if you want to be of use to G-D, get rightly related to Jesus Christ and He will make you of use unconsciously every minute you live.

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers, May 18.

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Mr. Chambers wrote this devotional long before i was born, but i feel like it was written to me.  why is something so simple & perfect a directive, so very difficult to fulfill?  G-D the Father is asking us to concentrate on Him, mediate on Him, look to Him, and He will meet our needs.   how beautiful to know that “our heavenly Father knows the circumstances we are in, and if we keep concentrated on Him we will grow spiritually as the lilies. “  trust, Faith, devotion, abandonment of self, reliance on Him… this is the way G-D asks that we live our lives.  but it is so difficult to relinquish the control that we think we have and want to have of ourselves & our circumstances.  foolishness.  if we truly want to live this life to its fullest potential, the best that it can possibly be,  then we must be like “but those who live their lives like the stars in heaven and the lilies in the field, perfectly simply and unaffectedly. “  what beautiful imagery!  close your eyes for a moment.  you are in a field of flowers, breathing in the fresh mountain air.  there is a slight breeze that causes the grass & flowers to gently sway.  there is a spring to your right where the deer is drinking water from the spring.  the warmth from the sun touches your face and as you look up to the sky, you see a flock of birds flying above, among the beautiful clouds.  every single aspect of this imagery is the L-RD’s creation. each icy drop of dew, delicate flower petal, colorful bird’s feather, was, is, and always will be by His divine design.  how can we not surrender ourselves entirely to the master of the universe?  He established science, mathematics, art, architecture, technology… can He not then manage our lives?

dear Heavenly Father, how sweet & comforting it is to be loved by You.  may those reading this posting relinquish control of their lives to You… You who are almighty & powerful.  let us feel Your embrace, L-rd G-d, for it is the sweetest feeling on this earth.  may we be like the birds in the sky & the flowers in the field, in complete submission to You!  Your ways are perfect, Your wisdom supreme, & Your love never-ending.  thank You for Your many promises of Hope.  i love You, my dear sweet Father!  Amen.