Starving Artist, Consider the Lilies

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.”

Last week, I was listening to a meditation on Luke 12:27-31.

I know these verses. God provides as richly for grass as He does for kings, so have faith! God knows what you need, so stop hustling in self-preservation and seek His kingdom!

But it’s hard not to worry, not to toil, not to spin out. Financial fears occupy much of my emotional and mental space, and I obsess over everything—from maximizing every side-hustle dollar to stretching too many meals.

“Don’t worry; seek his kingdom” seems like an odd conclusion.

Like, what does that mean exactly? How am I supposed to just stop worrying?

I go back to the beginning. “Consider the lilies…”

All of these conclusions, simply drawn from considering a flower?

One of the things that struck me was that Jesus didn’t just think up a clever metaphor—He literally made the metaphor, built it into nature. We would have no lilies to consider if God hadn’t created lilies for us to consider.

He has designed beauty as a reminder of his goodness.

And that was an interesting thought. How often have I passed by lilies, or any number of beautiful things, unaware that they’re metaphors from God?

How often do I slow down enough for external things to invite me into reflections on his kindness and care

As I type, I can recall real times this has happened in my life. Once, when I took time to ponder a bird encounter, I discovered verses that taught me incredible truths about God’s love. I think this is the kind of joy and security the passage is describing.

This seems to be the cure: meditation displaces worry with wonder.

What if, every time I walked by a corner bodega, I saw every flower as a sign of God’s generous provision? What if, every time I heard a bird chirp, I remembered that God loves me so much He’s bursting with dance and song?

If I were to walk through life considering every lily and beautiful thing, I’d walk with a lot more peace and confidence. I’d walk with a lot more trust, and a lot less toiling and spinning.

What are some lilies that you can consider?