What’s so special about grass？Think about the food you ate today. What would our world be like if God had not created grass? Psalm 104:14 says “O Lord you made grass grow for cattle and plants for us to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth.” Did you know that wheat, rice, corn, oats, and barley are just a few of the grasses that we eat. These and many others provide food for the cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and other animals that give us food. The roots of grasses hold the soil in place so that it doesn’t wash down the mountain when it rains.
When we hike we notice the rocks, flowers, trees, lakes, waterfalls, and mountain peaks, but did you know that there are over 100 different species of grass in Rocky Mountain Park？Next time we hike lets look for some of the different grasses and thank God for these special plants.
We usually think of grasses as small plants, but if you look in some yards you will see some ornamental grass that is over seven feet high. Do you know the name of the tallest grass? Bamboo grows as tall as trees, up to 120 feet high and 12 inches in diameter. It’s what panda bears eat and is used to make things like chop sticks, fishing poles, and flooring.
In the Bible God tells us to think about grass when we think about our lives here on earth. Just as the grass withers and dies, our lives will end. But there are two things that will last forever. God’s Word and God’s love will not fade away like the grass. God’s Word will always be dependable, something that we can rely on, that never gets old or out of date, always true and meaningful for our lives. And God’s love will always be there for us. It’s a “no matter what” kind of love that we can depend on always.
Psalm 103:15-17 Our days on earth are like grass, like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows and it is gone. But the love of the Lord lasts forever for those who honor Him. His righteousness endures for all generations of those who are faithful to Him.
1 Peter 1:24,25 Our lives will fade away as grass does when it becomes brown and dry. All our greatness is like a flower that droops and falls. But the Word of the Lord will last forever.
In Matthew 13 God tells us that those of us who trust in Him are like wheat grass and those who reject Him are like weeds. There will always be unbelievers among us and temptations that try to pull us away from our faith. But when Jesus returns it will be like the harvest when we, the wheat, are separated from the weeds and will be united with Him forever.
John 12:24 Jesus said that a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains.
Jesus is telling us that people are like wheat (grass) seeds. Unless the seed is buried in the ground it will never be any more than a single seed. But if it is buried the outer layer dies, falls off, and a sprout will begin to grow. Soon it will develop into a plant that produces many seeds. Like the seed, Jesus willingly died and was buried in the ground. But he rose from the dead like a new plant. And that new life that He has, He wants to share with all of us. Our new life is shown as we reject that outside layer of selfishness and sin and experience His life of love and service to others.
In Matthew 6:28-34 Jesus tells us that when we are worried and anxious about things around us that we should look at the beautiful fields of flowers and grass that He has created and takes care of. If He takes care of plants that live for a short time and then wither and die, how much more will He take care of us and give us the things that we need.
In Psalm 147 David tells us that God has made grass grow on the mountains. Here in Glacier Basin Campground and ever up above treeline on Trail Ridge road ever though there is strong wind, snow and freezing temperatures most of the year, we can find grasses and even tiny miniature flowers. These tundra plants are a special miracle of God’s creation that we who live here in Colorado can enjoy every summer. “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises to our God…Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.” Psalm 147:7.8
Blue Grama Grass is Colorado’s state grass. It provides a nutritious meal for the wild animals in the park and grows well even when it is hot, cold or dry. It’s roots spread out near the surface so that it can absorb ever small amounts of water, but can also grow 3 to 6 feet deep as plants mature. The roots hold the soil firmly protecting it from erosion.
written by Sue Found 2015.
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