How God Sees Your Ministry

January 2026

Ruth Chou Simons, in her book, “The Way of the Wildflower,” points out that some translations of Matthew 6:28 use the word “wildflowers” in the place of “lilies” in Jesus’ teaching about freedom from worry. “Consider how they grow,” Jesus said.

The Lord directs our attention away from the hustle and bustle of life and ministry and toward the less significant and often overlooked flowering plants that flourish in the wild places, along the less-traveled paths.

Wildflowers grow where they are planted, which might be in a place where few human eyes will ever see them. They have no desire to impress, and they do not advertise how important their beauty is to the world.

“Wildflowers don’t care where they grow.” (Dolly Parton)

They need no fertilizing or fuss; just a little water, space and sunshine and you will find them bursting with extravagant colors, if you take the time to consider them.

Jesus pointed out these plants, designed uniquely by the hand of the Creator, are free from fear of the future and are completely dependent upon the provision of their Maker, who makes sure they are dressed like royalty every morning.

They do not have to work or toil or labor to be beautiful; God has put it in their design to blossom radiantly for His glory! As Chou points out, “they exist in the place God put them, crowned with the glory He gave them.”

We can sometimes feel like a wildflower; not crazy out of control wild but planted in a place that will never be written up in a church growth magazine. It is unlikely our church will be one of the “100 Fastest Growing Churches in America” and no writer will show up at our door to interview us on principles of ministry success.

Dr. Lynn Hardaway