"The Lily of the Valleys"

Frances is very allergic to lilies. The flower section of a favorite store we frequent has a floral section as you walk in the door. Occasionally they'll have lilies, and when they do, Frances literally has to hold her breath as we enter the store (sometimes to no avail).

This happened several days ago. The fragrance of lilies was strong, and we hurried through the flower section to safer rows and aisles. As we did, the thought occurred to me that the first lily Frances will ever encounter without an unpleasant allergic response will be "the Lily of the valleys" Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ (Song of Solomon 2:1).

It's a beautiful thought to ponder, and one that applies to all of us. The world in which we live is poisonous to every human being, to the degree that it ultimately kills every last one of us. "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death" (Ecclesiastes 8:8). Only deliverance from this world and unto the Prince of life can lead us into an existence of perfect well being and the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical vitality for which we so deeply yearn.

We were made to be the home of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, the vase, as it were, for the Lily of the valleys. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). Our hearts are allergic, as it were, to any other resident. Life in a fallen world continually bears witness to this, the great truth of our temporal and eternal existence. One day Frances will be embraced by the Lily without harm, and even more, with perfect fulfillment of every aspect of her being. As will all who have trusted in the Lord Jesus, discovering in both the here and now and the Then and There that "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).

"This life is in His Son."

(I John 5:11)