Prayer to discover hidden wonders
Written by Sophia Bricker
Bible reading:
“Then why are you worried about your clothes? Think about the lilies of the field, how they grow, for they neither toil nor spin. I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory I did not dress myself like a lily; but if God so dresses the grass of the field, which is alive today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, how much more will he dress you, you of little faith?” – Matthew 6:28-30, ESV
Listen or read below:
Robert Frost’s “A Bunch of Flowers” depicts a rural scene of a man setting out to complete a farm job. Another male co-worker had been mowing the grass earlier in the day, and as the narrator of the poem was looking at his work, he noticed a butterfly floating nearby and wondered why he was looking for flowers in the freshly cut grass. Then he noticed the cluster of flowers that the sickle had left untouched. Frost writes: “I left my place to know their names/When I came they found butterfly weed/The mowers in the dew loved them like this/Not for us but for them to flourish.” By letting him flourish/Not yet attracting to him any thought of us, But with the edge of joy from the edge of pure morning” (Selected Poems of Robert Frost, Fall River Press, 2017, p. 33).
This patch contained a milkweed plant, an unexpected beauty that caused other men to stop their morning work to admire its glory, reminding the speaker that he was not working alone. There are other like-minded souls working with him, even if not at the same time.
Many of Frost’s poems capture the sense of beauty hidden in the wild growth of nature. Wildflowers grow unnoticed until they are seen by astonished onlookers. In another poem, “Rose Pogonias,” a worker takes a break from mowing when he spots an orchid growing in a meadow. Both poems express the sense of wonder that comes from observing the fruits of nature, even when they are growing out of sight.
Jesus’ parable similarly brings out the beauty of wildflowers. He directs the audience’s attention to the lily of the field and how it grows without additional effort. God, in His kindness and wisdom, has thus adorned the grass of the field and endowed nature with beautiful clothing. Jesus’ words are the same as what Jesus said earlier about the birds of the air. Even though the birds are not storing up food for the future, they are still being fed (Matthew 6:26-27).
Our Lord used these examples to remind us of practical spiritual truths. Why do we constantly worry about these parts of life when God clothes the fields and feeds the birds? Our anxiety will ease if we stop and notice the wonders around us, especially the hidden beauty of everyday life that teaches us valuable lessons about the Lord’s caring provision. The Apostle Paul also included examples of ordinary events such as rain showers and harvests when referring to the Creator’s care (Acts 14:17). The world around us reminds us of God’s love. But too often we turn a blind eye to their testimony.
What would happen if we stopped and started thinking about the wonders hidden around us? Perhaps we would heed Jesus’ advice and stop worrying about everyday items. Then the growing flowers, the birds chirping, and the testimonies of the rainy days will help us walk more steadily in making God’s kingdom a priority in our lives.
Let’s pray:
Lord of flowers and birds, help me to obey Your Word, learn from nature’s lessons, and become a better citizen of Your Kingdom. You have placed so many reminders of your love and care in the world, reminding us not to worry but to trust in your provision. But very often I don’t pay attention to these examples. And I often overlook the presence of hidden wonders around me that point me to You.
Give me eyes to see and take note of the songs and sounds of creation around me. May we listen to the preaching of their beautiful presence in our daily lives and reawaken to the beauty of knowing You, the Creator and Savior of all.
Jesus, I pray in your name. Amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
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Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotions, and stories. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Christian Ministry, which included extensive study in the Bible and theology, as well as a master’s degree in creative writing. You can read her thoughts on literature and faith in The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack. You can also visit Cultivate, a disciple-based site she writes with her sister.
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