Beauty in the Bending

There are days, when the winds gently blow everything in sight.

Days when the plants and leaves on the trees sway in the breeze.

During one of these days, I watched the beautiful display and asked myself, “What makes this so beautiful to watch?” I really thought about it.

I could say that it was beautiful because God made everything in nature.

This is true.

I could say that it was because the sun sparkled on all the leaves.

This is true.

I could say that it was because the breeze felt pleasant on my face.

This is also true.

But that wasn’t quite it. There was something else.

It was the bending.

Once the breeze started to blow, everything began to sway and bend in a kind of dance.

To bend means to yield to a force greater than yourself. A branch that cannot bend under a heavy snow load, will break. A guitar string that cannot bend while being played, will snap.

As people, we bend to forces in this world both positive and negative. But there is no force more worthy than that of the Lord and His will for our lives.

I kept thinking about this concept of bending. What makes it so beautiful? The answer I found was:

Humility.

A dancer who can move in any way, yet bends and follows the rhythm of the music, is humble.

A plant that grows and thrives, yet allows the breeze to bend it, is humble.

A person who has their own desires, plans, and pursuits, yet yields to the Maker of the universe, is humble.

What a sore sight it would be if every plant grew in a straight line, with straight branches and leaves. All of which broke the moment any amount of force was applied to them.

There would be no humility when the wind blew. And the beauty would leave as well.

Although God is a powerful force, He also has our best interests in mind. And we can yield to His plans knowing that they are good and for our good.

I am thankful for the beauty in the bending. That in walking alongside of God and letting our branches sway in His breeze, we are strong, humble, and lovely.

Until another moment,

~Jasmine