“Like the lily among the thorns, So are you, my darling, among the maidens.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Sometimes it’s hard to see the flower amongst the thorns. The thorns look so threatening and painful. Both for the flower and the picker. There may even be hidden thorns that scratch a person before being visible. Visible thorns or not, it doesn’t make sense why a flower would be among thorns if it didn’t have any. A flower would be so much prettier without thorns.

Right?

Well, here’s the thing. Sometimes, we can’t get rid of those thorns. They are there whether we see them or not. But that doesn’t change the fact that the flower is still a flower. It’s beautiful, fragile, and alive. 

Despite the thorns around, on, or maybe even in the flower, it still grew. I don’t think that takes away its beauty. That simple fact enhances its beauty. Because despite the pain, the difficulties, and the scorn, the flower grew. That is more than beautiful. That flower is precious.

And since there’s a scripture mentioning a flower amongst thorns, I think God would say that too. God is unafraid of those thorns, of the pain. What are thorns around a flower when He wore a crown of them? He is powerful enough to remove the flower’s thorns. He is so willing to cherish that precious flower, but never without permission.

See, God loves every flower. He clothes them in rich colors and provides them with the nutrients to shine in their short existence. He meticulously cares for each one individually, thorns or not. But such intentional compassion cannot work without an invitation. 

A flower shrinking into thorns is a dying flower.

God will not approach us if we shrink away from Him. He loves us too much. He wants us to be a part of this growing process. He wants us to invite Him into our thorny, messy lives. He’s not afraid or put off by what He sees. He wants to help us grow. 

That help may not look like how we want it to. God may not even get rid of that super obvious, inconvenient thorn we complain about. As I said, we sometimes don’t even see all the thorns until they cause us pain. But God sees them and He’s the best gardener I know. 

So as we start this New Year (Happy New Year), don’t be afraid to invite God into your thorny life. He only wants to treasure, preserve, and nurture the precious soul He sees amongst the thorns.