Lotus, the flower, is a very hardy plant. It is born out of the mud and has to go through a difficult growth process just to survive. There are many lessons we can learn from the lotus flower to apply in our own Christian walk. Here are 5 lessons from a lotus.
1. Strength
Lotus flowers are born in water, they are buried/planted in the mud, and the stem grows tall until it reaches above the water and can bloom. In this world, we are born in sin and live in a muddy, sinful world, but when we accept Jesus into our lives, we are born again. After salvation, we are no longer of this world but should be growing daily being transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Finally, when we live the life God has created us to live, we bloom beautifully, radiating His glory and love for the world to see.
"Like a lotus flower, we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world." - (unknown)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
2. Courage
It takes courage to continue living and growing, to not give in to the mud of this world and give up. Just as a lotus continues to grow through the mud and darkness until it finally burst forth into the light and air, we are to be overcomers and take courage in Jesus Christ our Protector and Provider. Cheer up! You have Jesus Christ on your side, you can do this, you can get through this, and in the end, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness and steadfastness. This world is not the final destination, it is just a pit stop on the way to eternity. As Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” – Mulan
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1
3. Patience
It takes time for a flower to grow, it does not happen overnight or as soon as the seed is planted. It takes days of slowly growing to become a strong and healthy flower. We too are called to be patient in life, especially during our preparation season, which is normally the longest part of our lives. Notice how Jesus prepared for 30 years before He fulfilled His Father's work. He was still ministering and living the life God commanded Him to live, but He had to wait patiently for God's timing to complete His calling/mission. Take a look at Genesis 29:20, "So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her." Jacob had to wait 7 years before he could marry Rachel and then ended up having to work another 7 years, 14 years total for Rachel. The correct and God designed things in life take time and preparation. The devil is hasty and rash, God is patient, and slow to anger. Practice patience and joy, knowing that only the best is being prepared as you are waiting on God's timing.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; - Psalm 37:7
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. - Habakkuk 2:3
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
4. Perseverance & Persistence
A lotus flower not only perseveres against the obstacles but also persists until it reaches the final goal/destination. We have obstacles in life that we need to persevere against, such as, temptation, the devil's schemes/arrows, life's hardships, other's discouragement or peer pressure, and our own evil desires and negativity. We must persist and stay on the course of righteousness! Practice, persevere, persist, and remain steadfast on God's Word, the good soil we need in order to overcome these obstacles and hardships. All of Jesus' parables are valuable; we need to read and study them more than we do. In Luke 8, The Parable of the Sower, Jesus gives us the meaning, "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.”– Elisabeth Kubler Ross
5. Growth
A flower will die if it does not continue to grow. Growth goes beyond physical, it is also spiritual and mental. Growth for a flower also means producing pollen, leaves soaking up water and the sun so new leaves will start growing and the old leaves fall away, and the flower blossom fading away to make room for a new blossom, and the wind blowing the seeds for more flowers to grow and spread. We too need to be growing daily. Producing good works to glorify and honor God, soaking up God's Word so our minds will be renewed daily and our relationship with God and others will grow, sharing our insight and wisdom/life's lessons with others and those who are new Christians, learning from older and wiser Christians, and spreading God's seed to all we meet, in person, through letters, through the internet, etc.
"At the end of hardship comes happiness." - Korean proverb
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. - 1 Peter 2:2-3
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7