Hallelujah! Look, See, Pray

The first camellia this year burst forth from its bud today. It may be screaming for help after swallowing two weeks’ worth of rain in a single day- or just responding to the increasing light levels.

Hopefully the frosts will stay away now: the effect of frost on a delicate camellia is nasty. Rapid browning of the petals, and a hasty plunge to the ground- a terrible way to die. Blooming from the buds is going well so far, long may it continue.

Throughout scripture, flowers are symbolic of beauty, transience, and the splendour of God’s creation. They remind us of the fragility of life, as well as God’s provision for our needs. So let’s join a psalm of Creation’s praise to God- let beauty inspire our response.

Psalm 148 (The Message)
Hallelujah!
Praise God from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that’s it!
Praise God from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth’s kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.
Let them praise the name of God—
it’s the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he’s built a monument—his very own people!