They Are Resilient

When my mom moved into a new house she dug up some daffodils. The next year they returned. A good part of the yard was dug up, laid with new soil, and planted with grass. This spring she sent me this picture:

These daffodils certainly fit Merriam-Webster’s definition of resilient: “capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture; tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.”

And they’re wiser than I am, because they don’t know any better. They simply grow (insert cliche here: Grow where God plants you). I find myself forgetting the reason why I, too, can be resilient.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

Paul wrote this verse to the Corinthian church in the context of idolatry, which all of us are guilty of. Anything we give a higher regard to than God qualifies as an idol.

“I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me, God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!” Psalm 57:2-3 ESV

We are resilient because we serve a God who sees us, protects us, and loves us.

Remember:

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

• God is here
• God is mighty
• God will save
• God will quiet me
• He will rejoice over you
• He will exult over you (I had no idea what “exult” meant, so here’s what Google said: feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation)

In context: This verse is about the restoration of Israel and the message to God’s people: don’t give up hope!

• Because God sees you and is with you
• Because God will save you (although maybe not how or when we’d like to be saved)
• Because He delights in us

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b

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They Move Toward Light

I love tulips, and I occasionally spoil myself by getting some for my living room. This bouquet tumbled over the edge of the vase, covering my coffee table with color. One morning I saw the blooms had moved in a noticeable direction: toward the window, toward the light

What do we move toward?

Scrolling, food, busyness, exercise, cleaning (never thought I’d go with this one)

What should we move toward?

• “My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:15 ESV

• “I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” Psalm 138:2 ESV

• “But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!” Psalm 141:8 ESV

And guess what? God’s moving toward us, too!

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” Psalm 34:15 ESV

And that’s another reason we can be resilient 🙂