I’ve loved watching my lilies come up a bit stronger every year, growing larger and more buds than I can now count.

This year, however, they seem to be challenged. What used to be thriving is now experiencing a significant struggle to survive.

It could be a lot of things. The sun has been particularly hot. It’s been very dry. These things don’t help but action can be taken to address. What do I think is most-likely the culprit? Lack of resources. Lack of shared, rich soil they need to remain healthy and strong. And, once a lack has been identified…the lilies begin to fight each other for resources. You see, the bed they were planted in has been outgrown, and the five plants that were placed there several years ago can no longer be fully supported.

Some of these lilies are going to have to leave the comfort of their bed. It’s been outgrown.

It’s the same for us. There are always going to be challenges along the way, irritations or setbacks that annoy or frustrate, but in the end they’re minor. They either quickly pass or we address and it’s resolved.

But there are also going to be challenges that will impact our life’s course. Mountains that seem insurmountable. It may feel like we’re being punished, forced out, or it may feel like we’ve been forgotten all together.

It’s important to remember in these times: we can still survive and thrive, even if we’re moved into a different bed or living situation.

He’s not moving us for the sake of movement. He’s not testing us to see if we love Him enough, serve Him enough, ARE enough. He loves us so dearly that He has plans to move us into a more glorious life in Him. He knows, though, that sometimes to make the life changes “stick”, consequences (good or bad) have to be felt. Sometimes we need to be uncomfortable or even pained to get to the place He’s prepared for us, for His glory and our good, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment or season.

Remember: We do not serve a god of lack, but the God of abundance. The joy of the Lord is our strength. He made the lilies more beautiful than anything in Solomon’s palaces, and yet He has PLANS for us. We are far more valuable than temporary flowers, and He tells us so.

Believe it today. You are a beautiful flower of great worth. Your Heavenly Father has great plans for you,and provides for your every need. If the bed you’re in, once comfortable, is now cramped, increasingly uncomfortable, and perhaps even painful…He sees you. You haven’t lost your value or beauty, He simply has a better place for you to thrive. It’s uncomfortable now, but if you’re being transplanted, it’s with purpose. As we align our hearts to His purposes and trust Him through the process, we begin to see what He intended all along, and just how trustworthy He really is.

Today, let’s stop viewing our lives and present with a sense of lack. Instead, let’s consider the lilies. They neither toil nor spin, and we are soooo much more valuable to our Father than these.

Consider the lilies. Trust Him to clothe you with beauty today and provide for your every need.

Live in His peace. Trust his abundance. There is no lack in Him. Shalom.