Once again I was looking over the zinnias beside the porch and admiring their beauty. I think I’ll leave them as long as I can and then try to save the seeds. But today as I looked, I saw so many bees, little moths, and small butterflies flying around the blooms. They didn’t “land” for long but took what nectar they wanted and went to the next plant and on and on. I tried to get some video, but they were too fast in their movements.
As I stood there, all I heard was the word “feast”. With the number of zinnias available to them, they truly had a feast, and they actively made that word into a verb of feasting!! These creatures were feasting on the variety of zinnias still blooming. How could I even think of pulling them up when they are providing exactly what these creatures need right now?
In just over a week, many around the nation will be feasting on Thanksgiving dinner! The dinner setting will be different for many due to the coronavirus restrictions - not gathering with families, eating alone, eating with family by virtual means. But the feast will be much the same with the traditional foods on the table! There are other types of feasts - it is a “spread” at someone’s Christmas party; it is all your favorite foods at the church picnic; it is grilling all your favorite sports foods before the game; it is what makes your mouth water when you go to a Breakfast Buffet at a special, local restaurant.
So these beautiful creatures were enjoying their own abundant feast. But this word can also be a verb, such as the moths were feasting on those flowers! They were absorbing the flower’s nectar at their feast, but at the same time, “pollen grains attach themselves to the animal’s body. When the animal visits another flower for the same reason, pollen can fall off onto the flower’s stigma and may result in successful reproduction of the flower”. Pollination is usually the unintended consequence of an animal’s activity on a flower so reproduction is not the priority for these creatures.
When we “feast”, we can feast on great food, and we can feast on the words in the Holy Bible. To feast is defined as “something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment”. When we feast on scripture, we absorb these words/meanings; we learn about our faith; we put this faith into practice; we share with others about our God; and we share with others the pure joy of knowing the one and only true God! Just as the moths and butterflies carry pollen which leads to reproductions of a flower, we are carrying the Word of God inside of us to share with others and reproduce more of God’s children. How powerful is that!
And in the same way that pollination is the unintended consequence of these creatures, the consequences of us sharing God’s word may not always be the priority either. Talking with someone about day to day issues may or may not lead to a discussion of God’s word. If we plant seeds on infertile ground, they will not develop and grow. But some will have that fertile ground and soak in every word, still wanting more. So we continue to feast and share; feast and share; and ask God for the increase.
Your Words were found, and I ate them; and Your Words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
I don’t know what your feast will be like this year, but my prayer is that as you feast on physical food, don’t forget to include the Word of God. This feast will fill you and never leave you empty!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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