“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
I’ve always loved wildflowers. But I haven’t known much about them.
Until this year.
I found a new app!
Everywhere we went last summer, I searched for new plants to identify. I was absolutely floored by the variety and diversity of the beautiful specimens I found. There were amazing surprises everywhere I went.
Hubby hinted that there would be just as much diversity at home.
He was right. One day, I went for a walk in the ditch near my house. From the road, all I could see was grass.
But I persevered. I slowed down. I got down on my knees. And I found this!
It’s a pleated gentian. It only stands a few inches tall. Its diminutive size means it can only be seen up close and personal.
I’ve lived here for twenty years and never seen one. And yet, here were thirty of them in the space of a few square meters, peeping at the sun from the shade of tall grasses.
Who knew?
That careful search yielded a pleasant surprise.
I’m already planning a ditch walk in the spring – not one, but one every few weeks, to find the early, mid season, and late varieties that are hiding out, waiting to be discovered!
How much effort have you put into searching for God?
He doesn’t just flaunt Himself, you see. He hides in the grasses, so to speak. He invites us to come closer. Slow down. Get down on our knees.
And really look.
And when we find something new and surprising and beautiful, we need to remember to keep seeking – because there will always be more to discover. More to enjoy. More facets of God’s character, more to delight and name and appreciate and experience.
Plan a search with me?
Father, You know us so well. You know that we love beautiful surprises, and treasure hunts. Teach us to search and keep searching for You. Open our eyes to the beautiful surprises that await us. Amen.
Growing in Grace 