In the Bulb

This is the second to last reflection in this series on some of our worship songs. This week I’m musing about the hymn “In the Bulb There is a Flower,” also known as the “Hymn of Promise.” For me, this hymn speaks to the marvel of God’s Creation and its growth, transformation, and beauty. It asks us to reflect on the process of becoming the people God created us to be:

In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!

The image of a seed particularly reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the farmer who went out to sow their seeds.¹ There are several ways we can approach this parable, but what does it mean if we think of ourselves as the seeds of love sown by God? Every seed, every person, has God-given potential. Will we become what we are meant to be?

To grow, we need soft soil that allows our roots to sink deep so our lives can be nourished. We need an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn and change. We need a certain vulnerability that fosters intimate relationships with God and each other. We also need a rock-free soil. Or at least, we need to recognize the obstacles that hold us back and keep us from growing, and then do the hard work of prying up and removing those rocks that stand in our way. For example, if we’ve been told we’re not good enough, if our seed was sown on the rocks of low-self esteem, then we might need to work on realizing our inherent inner worth and learn to love ourselves before we can truly grow into our true and amazing selves. Lastly, we need soil free of weeds which can choke us and stunt our growth. Who and what do we surround ourselves with? If we’re constantly surrounded by messages of materialism or people whispering in our ears about who we should fear or hate, then we are not going to grow into people of love. But, if we create fertile soil then God’s love will bloom in our hearts, in our lives, and in the world around us. When we are nurtured, we transform and become more than we could have ever imagined!

The hymn talks of the potential of God’s Creation as “unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” We don’t always know what’s going to happen next, but when we trust in God, everything will unfold at the right time. We’re also reminded in the second verse that in these times of trial or uncertainty there is always the promise of something new and good.

There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery.

When we plant a garden, we’re never sure how it will turn out. Likewise, when we put our trust in God’s love and open our hearts to transformation and change, we’re never quite sure where we will be led or what we might grow into. Butwe are promised that something amazing lies ahead of us. When we can’t understand or predict life, we can always give thanks for the present moment, enjoying what is available and trusting that God walks with us, helping us make the best of each situation and leading us to new life as our best possible and most loving selves. Of course, our growth and blessings often begin where something else has ended. Even if it might take time, even years, that has certainly been my experience. I might never have been led to ministry if a previous job hadn’t come to an end on a sour note. And those awful things that we don’t ever want to go through such as the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship have always led me to learning about myself and growing into a better person. The hymn’s third verse reminds us of the endless possibilities and opportunities that open up from our struggles:

In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory.

These words can also be a comfort for those facing death and grief in their lives as it speaks of the promise of reunion with the Divine Power of Love after our physical life ends. This hymn is often used at funerals for this reason. But however the words enter into our hearts, they remind us that something wonderful awaits us, both in this life and in the next, when we put our trust in the God of love.

This is a wonderfully hopeful hymn that asks us to sing of the endless possibilities of God’s good Creation. Manifesting our God-given potential is my hope for all of us. May we open our hearts and minds with vulnerability and in love so that we can grow into our true selves – God’s beautiful flowers, branches full of the fruits of peace and justice, butterflies flying free – the authentic loving and beloved children of God.

1 Matthew 13:1-9