God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Saturday, July 17, 2021

Lessons of Peace From a Sleeping Lizard in a Pink Rose

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Have you seen the picture that has gone viral of a tiny lizard asleep inside a pink rose? The creature was in nocturnal bliss enclosed inside those velvet petals. She was so small the flower created a safe haven. Although the rose had been cut and carried into a house, Lizzie wasn’t disturbed. (I’m taking liberties and calling it a girl and naming her Lizzie).

I can’t share the picture here on this site because the photo doesn’t belong to me, but this link of a sleeping lizard in a pink rose will show you the pretty little girl resting in her bed of fragrant softness. She doesn’t look worried, does she?

She climbed up the stem of a rose bush and took advantage of the protection and soft caresses of a flower. The tiny reptile never questioned if that rose was willing to accept her slumber. She took advantage of what nature provided and received a cradle of provision and comfort.

Our Father wants us to climb into His lap and take advantage of His love and protection. He wants to caress us in petals of love, warm us with the protection of His hand, and whisper promises of provision to us.

As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV)

Don’t you know this thrills His heart when we truly rely on Him? 

The Bible says we can grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We do that when we doubt, or whine, or fail to obey. He still loves us no matter what, but we can put limits on what we receive and those limitations we choose to live in are what grieves His heart. Because He has provided so much, and we don’t take advantage of His goodness.

The creatures of nature know better than to run right into the paws of an enemy. They don’t dart in front of a cat or other animal who would like to capture them.

Why do we put ourselves into the devil’s territory by getting into his mindset of doubt, confusion, fear and worry? 

He can only hurt us if we put ourselves into his domain and fall for his schemes and lies.

Worry is one weapon the devil throws at our minds. But worry is the opposite of trust. When we allow worry and fear to enter our minds, we have taken ourselves out of the hands of God and placed our soul on the dinner menu of a fallen angel.

Pastor Greg Mohr of Charis Bible College said, “Worry is our feeble attempt to be omnipotent and change the future we are afraid of.”

If we find ourselves in stress and chaos it is because we have forgotten what Christ gave us. No matter what we go through we can know God’s got this. He tells us to lay our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

The Song of Solomon is poetic expression of the love between a husband and wife. This book is often referred to as an analogy of the love between Christ as the Bridegroom and believers as the bride (His church). In Song of Solomon 2:1, the bride is the one speaking when she says, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”

The rose is considered by some to be the most perfect in the flower family. Jesus is never specifically referred to as the Rose of Sharon, but some have used this scripture to symbolically identify Him.

And even though in the case of this scripture the bride is speaking and not the bridegroom, we could compare the Rose of Sharon to Jesus because he is the perfect flower giving Himself to the bride.

Lizzie and others like her live in a harsh world. Predators seek them out for their dinner menus. But this one ran to a place of hiding. A place where no predator could see her.

We live in a harsh world too. We face a predator named Satan who seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). What does our Father tell us to do when we are chased down? We resist that enemy and run to the Rose of Sharon, our spiritual protector.

God world is full of lessons He uses to teach us, and as Titus 2 women we can use these lessons as a visible reminder of how much God cares for us. 

Are worry and fear attacking your mind? Lay your head on your heavenly Father’s shoulder. Let Him caress your soul with His peace. Rest in the love His perfect Flower bought for you.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

Finding lessons on peace from a sleeping lizard in a pink rose (click to tweet)

"Worry is our feeble attempt to be omnipotent and change the future we are afraid of.” Pastor Greg Mohr, Charis Bible College (click to tweet)



10 comments:

  1. SO many wonderful things to love about your post Ms. Barb. Oh, how I love the idea of resting in my Father's arms. Yes, when we hide ourselves in Him, we find true peace. Amen ma'am.

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    1. Sometimes we make resting so hard, don't we? Hiding in His arms is really where we find that peace. Thanks for sharing, J.D. Blessings!

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  2. Roses are one of my favorite flowers. It seems appropriate that in the perfection of the rose, we can see the perfection of our Lord. Enjoyed the imagery of Lizzie Lizard resting safely within the satiny soft petals of a lovely rose. A reminder of the security and love we feel when we are resting with Jesus. A beautiful and inspiring message, my friend.

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    1. Katherine, isn't it wonderful how our Creator made so many different types of flowers? You are a great example of that variety in the pictures you share. Roses are a wonderful illustration of the perfection of our Lord, the beauty of the color, the softness of the petals, and the harshness of the thorns He bore for us. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  3. I read this as I sit with my husband awaiting a brain MRI at MD Anderson hospital. It's been a difficult 2-year journey but your words remind me to climb into the Fathers arms and be held. Thank you for sharing this today!

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    1. May you feel those loving arms around you and surround you with peace. I am praying for you and your husband. I have been in those waiting rooms too. Thanks for sharing your heart. Blessings!

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  4. I missed the photo - and how delightful it sounds to be little Lizzie nestled in those velvet petals. Thanks for sharing. I love the connection you make with the image of me crawling onto my Father's lap when I'm weary or worried and in need of rest and solace.
    Candyce

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    1. Sorry about the photo. The lizard curled up in the flower made me think about us sitting in the comfort and safety of our Father's lap, the best place for us to be, isn't it? Thanks for sharing, Candi. Blessings!

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  5. Your statement that worrying puts me on the devil's dinner menu was horrifying. I can fall prey to worry more than I'd prefer, but I don't want to be eaten by the enemy. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Joanna, I don't want to be on that menu either and I do too much worrying and fearful thinking. When I can remember that I am falling into the enemy's trap it does help me turn my thoughts back to the One who rescues me. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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