Daisies, in pure adoration...

If you were to drive along an East Texas highway during this time of year, you would be greeted by abundant clouds of yellow daisies. These hardy little flowers grow wild, brightening the roadsides year after year.

I was in the car the other morning, on my way to church. The air was cool, the sun was shining, dew glistened on the grass, and the birds were singing—an altogether glorious springtime morning. As we drove, I watched the roadside, enjoying the golden flowers. Suddenly, I noticed something I had never realized before. Those flowers all face one way. They face the early morning sun. Those little flowers don’t show off their pretty blossoms by facing the street. Rather, they understand that they need the sun. It is their source of life. So they turn their faces toward it regardless of the passing traffic. The daisies don’t live to be beautiful—they live by and for the sun, and are beautiful because of it.

The Word of God tells me that I, too, am a flower. “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more. (Psalm 103:15-16).” Those beautifully honest flowers know that their life is short. The summer heat will come, inevitably; and they will wither. So they don’t waste any time showing off. They live to bring joy to their Creator.

If I, too, am like a flower, this question arises: How do I live? Do I face the passersby, pridefully showing off the beauty that isn’t really mine? Or do I face the Son, my source of life, living to bring Him joy? For “all things were created through him and for him (Col. 1:16).” I was created for Him! Do I live like it? Are my eyes fixed on Jesus? Is my gaze held fast, or am I distracted? “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” And my answer—I live too often distracted, worried about others and what they might think. I know that, in the times I found the most peace, I was gazing upon Jesus only. And I long to live more for Him each day.

Lord, grant me grace to keep my eyes upon You. Show me anew that this world isn’t worth looking at except through You. Keep me from petty distraction. Captivate me, draw me, teach me to live for You. Teach me to be like Your little golden daisies, with their faces always turned to the sun. Help me keep my eyes on the Son. I rejoice, for I was made for You! Help me to walk in that more each day. Thank you that I am Your workmanship and that Your work continues. I love You, Lord! Help me live this day for You.