finding peace in god's plan

in the soft, golden light of dawn, a delicate pink hibiscus flower rests upon the sandy shore, its petals unfurled in a display of god's exquisite craftsmanship. behind it, tangled strands of seaweed curl and twist, reminiscent of life's complexities. this striking image serves as a powerful reminder of the lord's words in matthew 6:28-29: "and why do you worry about clothes? see how the flowers of the field grow. they do not labor or spin. yet i tell you that not even solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."

the hibiscus, with its vibrant pink hue fading to white at the edges, speaks to the gradual unfolding of god's grace in our lives. its deep crimson center draws the eye, much like how the love of christ should be at the core of our being. the delicate veins running through each petal remind us of the intricate way god has formed us, as david proclaimed in psalm 139:14, "i praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made."

set against the backdrop of sand and sea, this solitary bloom echoes the sentiment found in song of solomon 2:1, "i am a rose of sharon, a lily of the valleys." it stands as a testament to beauty that can flourish even in challenging environments, much like faith that grows stronger through trials.

the contrast between the flower's ephemeral beauty and the enduring nature of the sand and sea calls to mind isaiah 40:8, "the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our god endures forever." this image invites us to reflect on the temporary nature of earthly beauty and the eternal nature of god's love and truth.

as we contemplate this stunning photograph, let it serve as a gentle reminder of god's attention to detail in all of creation. may it encourage us to trust in his provision, to seek his beauty in the world around us, and to bloom where he has planted us, no matter how unlikely the setting may seem.

sometimes we find ourselves in a place where we feel like something's missing. we search high and low, thinking we need to fill this void with something new, something exciting, or something that promises a quick fix. but here's the thing: we often look for unbiblical solutions to problems that god can solve in his perfect way.

i've been there, trust me. i've tried to patch up the holes in my life with temporary fixes, thinking that's what i needed. but time and time again, i've learned that god's way is always the best way. it might not be the fastest or the easiest, but it's the one that brings true healing and lasting peace.

you see, relationships are a two-way street. this applies to our relationship with god as much as it does to our relationships with others. we can't expect to receive without giving, to be heard without listening, or to be loved without loving in return. once we truly understand this, it's like a light bulb goes off in our heads.

when we start to view our relationships through this lens - be it with god or with the people in our lives - things begin to change. we stop looking for quick fixes and start investing in genuine connections. we learn to trust in god's timing and his methods, even when they don't align with our own plans.

and you know what? once we get to this point, we start to appreciate the people we have in our lives so much more. i'm incredibly grateful for the friends, family, and mentors god has placed in my path. these relationships aren't perfect, but they're real, they're growing, and they're exactly what i need.

so if you're feeling like you need something else in your life, take a step back. look to god first. trust in his ways. invest in your relationships - with him and with others. you might just find that what you were searching for was right there all along, waiting for you to see it through god's eyes.

- mitchell royel