Among the Sunflowers

If you read this blog regularly, you know I love autumn.  I love the cooler temperatures.  I love the fall colors.  I love fall flowers.  Especially sunflowers.

We have a sunflower farm and gift shop where you can pick sunflowers for free – BYOC.  Bring your own clippers.  I don’t know how many acres of sunflowers they have but the view driving to the farm is truly breathtaking.  The only challenge is you have to get there at the right time when the flowers are blooming, but the fields are not yet picked over.  Earlier this week, I took a drive to the farm; it was a gorgeous fall day.  Blue sky, puffy white clouds, cool temperatures, and bright sunshine.  As I came upon the farm, I realized I may be too late; most of the fields I usually visit were well picked over.  Disappointed, I decided I needed Chick Fil A to console my disappointment.  I turned in the opposite direction as I normally do and there, I saw them.  Acres and acres of untouched (well barely touched) sunflowers.  It was a field farther away from the gift shop and I guess overlooked by other visitors.

I parked, grabbed my clippers and bag, and began meandering among the sunflowers.  I stopped and just took in the landscape.  Beautiful yellow sunflowers, waving in the wind, faces lifted to the sun.  And I saw butterflies and bees being nourished by the sunflowers as the flower shared it’s gifts freely.  I was so moved. And I just felt overwhelmed by how similar our Christian life is to these beautiful flowers.

Did you know that sunflowers exhibit a unique trait called heliotropism?  That’s just a fancy word that means the sunflower face turns toward the sun at all times throughout the day, starting the day facing east and ending its day facing west?

Did you know that that the giant flowerhead is actually many tiny blooms?  If you look closely, you’ll see the center, where the seeds develop, contains the tiny blossoms bees love.

Did you also know that sunflower seeds must be planted in well-drained soil?  They don’t tolerate soggy soil.  As they grow, their heads can become heavy, so it is recommended to stake them for support.

Jesus poured several lessons into my heart as I walked among the sunflowers.  Where we fix our gaze is the direction our lives will take. Where is your attention? Are you searching daily for the Son?  Do you turn your face to Him each day, all day?  Do you look to him for light when you are facing difficult and dark times?  Do you celebrate the warmth of his love as it bathes your face and reaches the cold, barricaded parts of you?  If we look to the Son, we are guaranteed everlasting life with the Father.  In Psalm 103:12, David gives us a visual representation of the breadth of God’s love and forgiveness:   “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

Our lives are rarely uncomplicated.  On the surface it may look like we have it all together or that things are going perfectly.  However, when you look beyond the surface, we are complex, intricate creations made by a Father who seeks relationship with us.  Who sees every facet of our being as beautiful blooms each with a purpose.  Who wishes to use each unique aspect of our being for His glory.  You may never know how you have ministered to another by simply being yourself and being vulnerable.  Being available.  Sharing those guarded, unseen places with someone in need.  You just may start a chain of events that God will use to change lives.

And just like those majestic flowers, we don’t do well in soggy soil.  When our foundation is contaminated by lies, shame, guilt, greed, lust, anger…you name it, we won’t grow to our full potential in Jesus Christ.  Instead, the enemy will continue to weaken your roots in an attempt to minimize your impact for the Lord.  And we will sin.  Again, and again.  And we will be forgiven.  Again, and again.

When we believe the lies and rely on our own perceived strength and control, rather than the gifts of the Father, our heads become heavy with self-righteousness and pride.  If we are not staked to the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice and the Father’s saving grace, we will eventually topple.

Yes, I think we can learn a lot from sunflowers.  For many, they symbolize optimism, positivity, loyalty, and faith.  But I think the coolest thing we can learn from them is how the power of the sun gives them power over the deadliest contaminants.  Strong, healthy sunflowers naturally decontaminate soil, soaking up hazardous materials such as uranium, lead, even arsenic.  A beautiful flower becomes powerful through the sun that nourishes it.

How appropriate then, that the Son we are privileged to soak up every day does the same in our lives.  The power of the Holy Spirit that lives in each of us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior has the power to destroy all the hazardous lies and attacks of the enemy.  We need only look up, see His light, and feel His warmth.  Let it permeate every cell of your body and reach deep into your heart.  Open yourself up to share the beautiful blossoms of love with which God has created you.  And watch Him work His majesty in your life.

I encourage you to spend this week reaching for the Son.  Make time to wander in His light and warmth.

This week’s accompanying prayer can be found at: https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/growth/shine-on-me/