a.. Lk.12:24 - "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
b.. Lk.12:27 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

Look and learn, Jesus said. We are surrounded by life lessons. Don't go through life without truly learning more about yourself and God simply by contemplating what is all around. This is more than stopping to smell the lilies. This is stopping to think about the lilies and life. It is the path leading from the oblivious to seeing beyond the obvious to consider and to reconsider ourselves.

Jesus said to consider (katanoeo) which is "to observe fully." To "consider" is more than a cursory glance or quick thought. It is more than seeing, it is looking. "Look" (emblepo) is used by Matthew (Mt.6:26) which means, "to look on, i.e. (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly." Jesus said to Look at the birds of the air. In Mt.6:28, Jesus used another word (katamanthano) translated "observe" which means "to learn thoroughly." There he said, Observe how the lilies of the field grow. Apparently Jesus knew we could spiritually profit from looking, observing, and considering. Therefore, let us consider.the keychain.

Consider the keychain, for it displays wealth. Take the time to look at your keychain. On mine I have keys to a house, truck, minivan, and motorcycle. Ponder this question: Are some people in this world so poor they don't need a keychain? So while we might complain about how bulky ours is, and how it pokes us in the leg when we sit down, or that we can't find it due to our own carelessness, consider all our material possessions. Consider the keychain, for it shows our blessings.

Consider the keychain, for it demonstrates character. Do you give someone a key if you don't trust them? Obviously not! A key is a sign of trustworthiness. Not just anyone has our keys on their keychains. Keys and keychains are symbols how others view us. Consider the keychain, for it shows how others view our character.

Consider the keychain, for it exhibits responsibility. When our children reach a certain maturity, we give them keys. It starts with a key to the house and then a key to the car. As their responsibilities and maturity increases, so does the number of keys, necessitating a keychain. In life, often the more responsibilities one has, the more keys they have. A Vice Principle at a local High School did not have a needed key. She joked that we would have to find a janitor because "I am only a V.P." Consider the keychain, for it shows our accountability.

Consider the keychain, for it proves the sinful world we live in. Simply put, the world is filled with people who want other people's stuff! That is why we lock up everything. On my key chain I have keys to my house (4 different locks on 3 different doors); to a shed (I leave it unlocked hoping someone will steal some of the junk so I can have more room!); a key for the fork lock (no that's not to keep me from eating too much! It secures the motorcycle), and to a lockbox containing valuables and papers. A keychain remind us of all the people in this world who do not live by the same Christian values we do. Consider the keychain and how it shows the devil's influence.

Consider the keychain, for it reveals doubt and fear. How many of us have keys on our keychain, or in a drawer at home, that we have no idea what they go to? Why don't we just throw them away? We're afraid we might need them! So we keep them, and keep them, and keep them, and.. It's had to throw away a key, isn't it? Some people actually have trouble throwing away old habits and old thought patterns. They stay ready to lock up their feelings and their heart to keep from getting hurt. Consider the keychain and think of the possibilities if we just throw away our past and open up to God's future for us.

Look around at all the little things in our lives, and make spiritual applications, just like Jesus did and advised for us to day. Look, observe, and consider.

By Perry D. Hall

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