Matthew 6:27-30 - Unseen Beauty

Matthew 6:27–30 (New Living Translation) — 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

In July 2017, a friend and I went hiking at Mount Rainier National Park. Two things impressed me, as often happens on mountain hikes: what I could see near at hand (flowers, particularly) and what I could see from a distance (majestic mountain peaks).

But then there were the things I could not see at all.

I've hiked in many different places, but that particular day and place, the flowers were particularly divergent and profuse. I'd never seen so many different colors and varieties of wildflowers. Even on rocky ground that was otherwise barren, there were bright clusters of blossoms.

What about the floral displays I could not see? In fact, there are alpine meadows and canopied jungles throughout the world, hiding whole seasons of flowers that no one enjoys before they wither and die. Yet God continues to pour out limitless beauty, even without an audience.

While the next mountain pass may lead to a dark valley filled with a charred forest, devoid of flowers, I'd prefer to think that God has something more beautiful tucked away, just over the next rise.

Father, May the beauty we see inspire belief in beauty as yet unseen, and deepen faith in You for tomorrows yet to come. Amen.