Lilies of the Field

 

Recently I had a dream that consisted only of a single image – a strikingly unique tropical plant. It grew as a tall, elegantly curved branch in vibrant tones of dark blue, majestic purple, and forest green, with sculpted leaf-like triangular structures springing from its surface. At its tip was a perfect lavender bloom, with a full array of lotus-like petals arranged in a Fibonacci spiral.

Over the next few days, I was reminded of the dream image by a photo of an exotic succulent on Facebook, and then by a fashion magazine spread in which a stunning model clad in a Grecian-style gown posed next to a similar plant, mirroring its graceful curve.

That night I had a second dream in which I was helping to prepare decorations for a wedding celebration.  There were many lily blooms to arrange, some in white streaked with fuschia and lavender; some cream-colored with pale gold spots, and some orange tiger lilies. I had to arrange them in a clear glass, tiered container, with a water reservoir on the bottom, but the stems were very short and difficult to keep in contact with the water. One of the blooms had already wilted, shriveled, and was turning brown.

As I thought about the symbolism of these dream images, I was reminded of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5; 11:15), the Rod from the stem of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), the true Vine (John 15:5). God the Son came to earth in human form as the perfect, sinless Sacrifice Who died on the cross to pay for all our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), that all who trust Him would have eternal life (John 3:16). He alone is the priceless Rose of Sharon and Lily of the valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1).

The colors of the dream plant were fitting for the Righteous Branch, the blue reflecting the azure skies of Heaven and Christ’s heavenly throne resembling sapphire (Ezekiel 1:26); the purple His royalty, and also (with blue and scarlet) seen in the temple curtain (Exodus 27:16). The green called to mind the emerald-like rainbow lighting His throne (Revelation 4:3), and evergreen trees that never lose their foliage, symbolizing His gifts of peace, provision, and everlasting life (Genesis 9:3; Psalm 23:2; 52:8).

The three-sided appendages could denote the Trinity – the perfect union of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7).

Crowning this magnificent creation was an exquisite lavender bloom, its color mystical and transcendent, and its petals in a spiral design based on the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci sequence in which each number is the sum of the preceding two numbers (1,1,2,3,5, etc.). Only the omniscient Designer could create such beauty using intricate laws of nature and mathematics, as He did in the aloe plant, the lotus blossom, the sunflower head, and the chambered nautilus.

Even the human body, His greatest creation, uses the Golden Ratio in determining ideal proportions, as Leonardo da Vinci portrayed in his Vitruvial Man drawing of the human body with limbs outstretched along a circle.

As suggested by the fashion image I saw a few days after the dream, in which the model’s form and stance resembled that of the plant, we are created in God’s image, also with a triune nature of body, soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). Our body communicates with the outside world, our soul with our innermost desires, and God designed our spirit to communicate with Him, once we are saved and trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

I believe the second dream of arranging flowers for a wedding celebration referenced believers’ status as God’s children, symbolized by the lilies. Despite our differences in physical appearance and skin color, we are all made in His image, reflecting His beauty. While we await His return, we are to gather together in love (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 2:2), like flowers strung together in a lei; put on the holy and spotless garment of His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10); and prepare for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

Just as He has brilliantly clothed the lilies of the field, He has promised to attire, feed, and nurture us (Matthew 6:28-33). Christ is the Living Water (John 4:10-14), the Source of all these physical, spiritual and eternal blessings. Once we trust in Him, we will never thirst again.

Yet to receive His abundant blessings, we must be connected to the refreshing spring of His grace, love and provision. In the dream, the short stems on the lily blooms represent the difficulty our flesh has in maintaining that connection, and the attempt we sometimes make to be nourished artificially, by a man-made reservoir that can satisfy our thirst no more than can a broken cistern (Jeremiah 2:13).

Unless we are immersed in the Living Water, we wither away spiritually, like the dried bloom that was fit only to be discarded.  We must keep hydrated by staying close to Him, for our flesh is weak and incapable of self-nourishment. But washing in the Water of His Word cleanses and sanctifies us (Ephesians 5:26).

Although the dreams were a confirmation of our abundant blessings, inner beauty through the Holy Spirit, and life-giving sustenance we experience as Christ-followers, I believe they were also a warning to stay connected to the renewing power of His Word and Spirit. May others be drawn to Jesus Christ and His beauty as they perceive us as blooms decorating the One True Vine!

© 2023 Laurie Collett