HELIOTROPES

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

~Philippians 4:8 NIV

Sunflowers helped me to learn to follow the Son.

For weeks, we have driven past a planted field, trying to guess what would sprout. Too tall for squash. Too tall for peas. Leaves too big for peanuts. Finally, much to my surprise, I rounded the corner and came face to face with a field of giant sunflowers.

Immediately, I was taken back to Budapest in the summer of 2008. I was on a mission trip, and we drove the backroads of Hungary to get to the airport. Miles and miles of sunflowers on both sides of the roads were the only scenery we saw for several hours.

Then, I returned to real time, slowed the car down, and soaked in the view. A fascinating fact about sunflowers is that they are in the heliotrope family. All day long, the heads of these flowers focus on and follow the light from the sun–soaking up as much light as possible and turning themselves as needed.

HEAVY WITH SEEDS

As I drove by later, I noticed many of the flowers no longer held their heads up and followed the sun. Instead, many hung their heads over, heavy with seeds. My heart filled up as I acknowledged the picture before me. These flowers, which had been so focused on soaking in as much light as possible and intentionally following the sun, now could do nothing but bow and offer their seeds to anyone who approached.

A tear snuck from the corner of my eye. What an amazing picture of the life God calls us to live. We follow the Son, soak up His light, keep our gaze focused on Him, and turn wherever He leads. And after we have soaked it all up, we bow and offer our filled-up lives to nourish others.

HOLY HELIOTROPES

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

~Psalm 95:6 NIV

I want to be like a sunflower. I want my life to follow God and get so filled up that I get heavy with the good stuff. The fuller I am, the more I want to bow my life and let God use me to nourish those around me. 

How about you? Are you filled up with the good stuff? Make sure to bow your life and share with those around you.

Father God, like the heliotropes, let me follow you throughout my day and keep my eyes on You. Fill me up so I can bow my life before You in worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Follow the Son: Christy Bass Adams: All Rights Reserved