Finding Beauty and Faith: Lessons from Calendula on Rocky Terrain

During one of my recent walks on rocky terrain under the sun's intense heat, I noticed an orange flower standing out among the bushes. I captured a photo and felt it held a message of encouragement for someone in need of a helping hand today. If you're seeking help from God, today's blog post is meant for you. Sometimes all we need is a fresh perspective while facing challenges.

The photo I took is of calendula, an herb known for its medicinal uses. It thrives in rocky soil, enduring the sun's heat, and is renowned for treating a range of conditions from heartburn to skin wounds like sunburn. The photo I captured illustrates that everything in nature experiences cycles of growth, peak performance, and eventual withering and transformation. 

Calendula, Tuzla, 2026.

Finding beauty and hope: lessons from calendula on rocky terrain

In life, much like in nature, seasons bring changes, and the fading of something old is simply part of the transformative process allowing new things to emerge in a new season. Even as it withers, the identity of calendula does not change, although its condition does. It remains an herb widely recognized for its medicinal properties.

Similarly, the transformations we face in life do not define us during times of shedding the old. Our identity and the value of who God created us to be remain intact. We are merely experiencing the seasonal changes where something old must die for new and wonderful things to emerge.

Today, I recall the story of Abraham, who, at 100 years old, along with his 90-year-old wife, was still anticipating the promise of having a child. In Romans, we learn that despite facing his situation and struggles, he continued to cling to God's promise. Although the time for the fulfillment of this promise had not yet come, he maintained faith until his season of a new thing arrived.

What pain in life you need to stop ignoring and should start paying attention? There is faith to be found in considering all aspects of our pain.

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” - Romans 4:19-21 NIV