We celebrate flowers for their unapologetic beauty, for their audacious sense of entitlement to brilliance. And then, in our uniquely human way, we pluck them and keep them in vases in our dining rooms, or give them to loved ones to spark romance or reconciliation. We attempt to harness something of their energy to infuse into our own lives, cloyingly holding them to our breast the way a child might smother an unsuspecting kitten. Yet, soonafter, the flowers wither in our vases and clutching hands, leaving us with dried-up stalks and blowing seeds.
What is it that we seek from flowers?
Imagine a person interacting with the world the way a flower might - wandering down the street with a big smile on their face and announcing to the world how beautiful and worthy of love they are. Imagine them looking at others in anything but disbelief if they were not unconditionally adored and showered with love and light. We would likely say, "who the hell does this person think they are?", or mutter disdainfully "they act like they're God's gift to the world!"
Unfortunately, too often we present ourselves, and each other, with a much different fate than flowers. Instead of simply acknowledging that we really are God's gift to the world, and celebrating that light in ourselves and others, we decide to cloud the skies with our own judgements and statements about right and wrong. We decide to stop simply trusting the light. We become weeds.
It's no wonder we got kicked out of the Garden.
It is a quintessential quest of spirituality to find our way home from this wilderness of weeds we create in our lives. It begins with shamlessly claiming our own God-given right to love, beauty, and light, and continues by allowing, giving, and defending that same right in others.
Ultimately, we decide whether our lives flower, or become choked by weeds.
What will grow from the seeds you have planted?
Love this post, Greg. I think the way you interpret this and where you go with the flower concept says so much about who you are. I found myself wanting to take it to a slightly different place which I think just says something about my story and where I am. So - I'm feeling a desire to write an alternative ending to your blog post. Then it can be like a fun creative adventure - you can choose your own ending... What do you relate to today? :)
ReplyDeleteHere's where I want to start...
"Unfortunately, too often we present ourselves, and each other, with a much different fate than flowers. Instead of simply acknowledging that we really are God's gift to the world, and celebrating that light in ourselves and others," we attempt to deny the beauty within us. We act as if we are always the seed planted and watered, but not yet sprouted. We live as if it were always winter, unaware of the amazing potential within us. As Nelson Mandela writes, 'There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Yet we do play small. All too often. Perhaps it is because we are afraid of our potential. Perhaps it is because choices we have made imprison us. Perhaps it is because the winter in our lives is not yet over. Whatever the reason, winter always comes to an end and when it does, the flowers must be given the sunlight and water to be allowed to flourish.
What are the sunlight and water you need to flourish? Are there ways in which you are stuck in winter and unable to allow yourself to fully live into the beautiful creation you were made to be? I wonder what kind of flower God has made you to be.
Ultimately, I am choosing to live in the spring and to embrace the flower within - even though it's a very vulnerably visible place to be.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
May my flower and God colors displayed for all to see give glory to my creator!