Look at this buttercup as it begins to learn its new lesson. The little hands of the calyx clasp tightly in the bud, round the beautiful petals; in the young flower their grasp grows more elastic – loosening somewhat in the daytime, but keeping the power of contracting, able to close in again during a rainstorm, or when night comes on. But see the central flower, which has reached its maturity. The calyx hands have unclasped utterly now – they have folded themselves back, past all power of closing again upon the petals, leaving the golden crown free to float away when God’s time comes.

Are we willing to let our Father strip away our petals one by one?