Lenten Rose

I nearly walked by this flower in the gardens because of all the bright ones screaming for attention all around it. I backed up a few steps, realizing what had caught my attention was a light green bloom and the way the light was coming through it. I was amazed as I stared into its face how stunningly beautiful it was.

My heart was pierced as I searched for its name...Lenten Rose. I imagine it was so named partly because of the time of year it appears. But I also found meaning in that it was not particularly showy or didn't seem so impressive to even be noticed by its outer beauty. But spending time looking at it shook me to my core. Its light, fragility, humility, all correlated so strongly to the Christ.

Scripture tells us the Son of God was born into meek and humble circumstances. Also, Jesus was quite common looking; perhaps by the world's standards not good-looking. But spending time with him and being able to gaze into his face, see his heart, touch his hem...what could be more beauty-full?

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The words preceding and including the Philippian Hymn:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death~~even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil. 2:1-11 NIV