Consider the Lilacs
What Lilacs Remind Me Of
One of the most delightful sights and aromas of spring is the lilac. In my part of the country, they burst into bloom in May. The blossoms only last for a few weeks. I remember enjoying lilacs as a teen, but more so once I moved to Rochester, NY, the home of the annual Lilac Festival. We have an abundance of lilac bushes all across our area. I never tire of seeing those beautiful blossoms in different shades of lavender. When we cut a few and bring them into the house, that lovely lilac fragrance fills the room.
I kind of hope that we’ll have permanent lilacs in heaven.
Lilacs are fragrant and colorful flowers that can symbolize love, joy, faith, and resurrection.
Love
A lilac bush reminds me of God’s love for us. It is part of the glorious creation that He made for us to enjoy. He created us in His image and likeness, and He delights in us as His children. He loves us so much that He sent his Son Jesus to die for our sins and to rise again so that we can have everlasting life. He loves us with an everlasting love and has drawn us to Himself with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3b) ✝️
Looking at lilacs reminds me of Jesus’ words concerning lilies, another beautiful spring flower.
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ( Luke 12:27 NKJV)
We could say the same thing about lilacs.
Jesus was making the point that since He takes good care of His creation, we can count on His loving care of us. There is no need for us to worry.
Joy
When I see lilacs begin to blossom, I feel joyful. It’s a sign that that our spring weather has finally warmed up. I can bask in the sun and enjoy the flowers, blossoms, and new leaves. Beautiful spring days call me to get outside to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. I rejoice in the divine artistry of the seasons.
But greater is the joy I have in Christ. He is our hope and our peace, our strength and our song. He fills us with His Spirit as we yield to Him. He gives us a reason to rejoice and to praise Him in all circumstances.
He says, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4, NIV)
Faith
Around here it usually takes until May to be warm enough for the lilacs to bloom. But I always have faith that they will. I know from science and from experience that once warm weather and the right amount of daylight kick in, those gorgeous blossoms will quickly pop out.
As they blossom, it reminds me of the faith we have in God. He is faithful and true, He keeps his promises and His word. He is with us always, he never leaves us nor forsakes us. He guides us and protects us, he provides for us and sustains us.
He says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)
Resurrection
Lilac bushes in the winter look dead. But warm spring weather brings them to life with buds, leaves, and blossoms. The blossoms don’t last long. But when they appear, it is like a resurrection. The bushes become covered with lavender beauty.
This reminds me of when Jesus rose from the dead. Beaten and hanging on the cross left him a bleeding mess. What an awful sight his battered body must have been as it was wrapped in cloths and laid in the tomb. But on the third day Jesus rose. Although He still bore the wounds in his hands, feet, and side, He returned in beauty and power. He must have looked radiant in His glorified body!
Those of us who are followers of Jesus look forward to the day when we will receive our resurrected bodies.
We are given this special promise: Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2.
Just as the lilacs seem to be resurrected when they blossom, we will have new perfect bodies on that day when Jesus takes His living followers from the earth in an instant, and resurrects the bodies of those of His followers who die before He comes. (2nd Thessalonians 4:16-17) Everyone who is in Christ will be changed from having aging, failing bodies, or dead ones, to having a body like the glorified body of Jesus Christ. We shall be like Him!
Let’s thank God for the gift of spring and the gift of lilacs. We can enjoy His creation and His presence every day. Let’s celebrate His love and our joy in Him as we live out each day with faith in Jesus. Also, let’s rejoice in His resurrection as we look forward to our own.
by Karen S. Roberts
You might enjoy reading “The Story of Lilacs.”
