One of my earliest memories dates back to the first grade. With my young classmates, I dressed up with white hats, flowing aprons, and pretend wooden shoes. Together we sang “Tip toe through the tulips…” Vaguely I recall simple choreography and colorful tulips scattered around us. This memory warmed my heart while visiting Amsterdam this past week with Gary, Sophie, and Peter. The catchy song (click here to listen) extended an invitation to connection and relationship.
The beautiful tulip marks the uniqueness of Holland’s capitol. Though July is not tulip-blooming time, the flower market contains rows of vendors selling bulbs, wooden tulips, and flower momentos. An excursion to the Tulip Museum during our visit brought revelation and intrigue regarding these stunning flowers.
As I ponder the tulip, I notice life-lessons, biblical connections, and insights developing within my mind and heart. Let me share some details that I learned and observed about the tulip, as well as possible applications for us today.
As it basks in the sun, the tulip offers great beauty and even appears quite delicate, However, this stunning flower exudes resilience from its beginning. A tulip bulb originates buried beneath dark soil. There, in the darkness, the bulb rests for several months developing a root system within the cool dirt.
As the outside temperatures warm, the bulb shoots its stem above the ground, pushing through the darkness and reaching towards the light. The stem grows in height and a colorful blossom develops, resembling the turban headwear of Central Asian cultures, where the bulbs originated.
Nevertheless, at the height of the tulip’s florescence, the Dutch tulip farmers cut off the head of the tulip bloom. It is removed so that nutrients from the stem flow into the root below, allowing it to spread the root system, thus producing more bulbs.
Following the flower harvesting season, the stem continues to nourish the bulbs below the surface. After the stalk dies, the bulbs, once again, rest in darkness, maturing and multiplying until they experience a violent reaping. They are dug up with shovels and machinery, separated into individual bulbs, and tumbled through a conveyer to remove the dirt. Subsequently, the bulbs experience inspection for quality, distribution, and replanting.
Replanted smaller bulbs begin the cycle again, buried into dark damp soil. Although no visible evidence of growth above the ground exists, bulbs deepen their roots. By the warmth of the sun, verdant stems burst through the terrain, reaching to the sky with vibrant colors swirling atop the stalk. Moments of vibrant beauty dance with the breeze until their flowers are removed, for the sake of the maturing bulb down below. The shoot feeds the buried bulb, allowing it to mature and multiply. Lastly, the proliferated bulbs endure harvesting, separation, distribution, and replanting; the cycle continues.
Insights from different features of the tulip – – –
- Although hidden from human view, multiplication quietly occurs. When Paul and Silas sat in the darkened prison, hidden from outside view, their lives drew the jailer from Philippi to know Jesus Christ (Acts 16:25-35).
In what ways do the quiet features of your life draw others to know Christ?
- Beauty follows periods of darkness. This reminds me of the beauty of the resurrection following the darkness of Jesus’ crucifixion (Mark 15-16).
Are you faced with darkness? Hang on! God is with you. How can you be with others who experience darkness? Can you hold the tension of darkness and beauty in your life and with others?
- Growth involves pruning. Jesus taught about the necessity of the Vine-grower to prune branches for the purposes of growth in godliness (John 15). At times, good things must be removed in order to commence seasons of increased sustenance, fertilization, and health.
Have you ever begrudged God when a good thing in your life seemed “cut off”? Look for the ways God brought healing, strength, and hope through the season that followed.
- Difficulty and disruption develop depth. The woman who anointed Jesus in Simon, the Pharisee’s home, loved much. Her life of hardship led to a love so deep that Jesus honored her (Luke 7:36-50).
In what areas of life does God invite you to push through the darkness towards His light? How does the light of Christ impact the depth of your journey with Him?
- Parts of life feel violent, stressful, and even traumatizing. Yet, there is a purpose and plan. Many Scriptures declare the truth that God redeems that which is broken, allowing His purposes to prevail (Proverbs 19:21, Titus 2:14).
What would it be like for you to rest in the assurance of God’s presence, even when life feels difficult, confusing, and painful?
This week – – –
Read the story of Hannah found in 1 Samuel 1-2 – How do you notice some insights from the tulip in Hannah’s life? Next read 1 Samuel 3 – What does this story show you about who God is? In what ways can Hannah’s experience encourage you today?
Take a walk and look at any flowers near your path. Take in the beauty. How does the resilience of the flowers you see motivate your own life journey? Talk with someone about your thoughts and feelings regarding resiliency, darkness, and beauty.
Choose one or two of the insights to explore further. Ponder the metaphors from the tulip and their implications for your life.
Experience God’s invitation into connection and relationship with Him. Tip toe through the tulips. 🌷
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Isaiah 30:15 – In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 45:3 – I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
John Eldridge. Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times. Nashville, TN, 2022.
Stefan Kunz.. You are God’s Masterpiece: 60 Beautiful Reminders of What God Says About You. Siloam Springs, AR. 2019.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Anne Wilson. Strong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFk2iYq4Zjk
Gunger. Beautiful Things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH7fsHze-Kk
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
August 6 – Yesterday, our return flight from Amsterdam was cancelled. We found a night flight to Munich. Today, very early, we fly from Munich to London, then after a long layover, we fly to Denver. I appreciate your prayers. It’s been a challenge 🤪.
August 6-9 – Denver Seminary – Supervision of Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort