Keep Your Eyes on the Son
Recently at work, I was given a vibrant yellow flower. It reminded me so much of the big sunflowers that grow here in Texas every summer. The yellow flower looked similar to the sunflower because it had a big center, with an overlay of petals surrounding it, somewhat like a sunflower’s.
The one in my office, as well as the sunflowers outside, remind me of summer. The nights come later and it stays light longer. I love that. But, there was a big difference between the two flowers.
The yellow flower had been in my office, for a little over a week, in a glass of water. But then the leaves started drying up and falling off. Soon, it had to be discarded – for two reasons. One, my office had no windows, so the flower had no sun. Two, it wasn’t planted or grounded in soil, which got me to thinking again about the sunflowers.
They grow bigger than any other flower I have ever seen. They stand in the full light of the sun and in the hottest of temperatures of the day and somehow, they survive. As I was talking to a co-worker about this, she shared with me that sunflowers, literally follow the sun. Did you know that? I didn’t. They literally lift up, as the sun rises and throughout the day, they actually follow the sun turning to always face it. Isn’t that beautiful? They turn to face the sun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mr0R3ibPU
Wow! As I thought more about this so many more thoughts went through my mind. When we take our eyes off of Christ, God’s Son, then we cannot grow like we should. When we don’t follow the Son, then we can get off balance.
As I mentioned earlier, sunflowers can stand the hottest of temperatures. They are made that way, just like we are made to withstand the heat, trials, and difficulties of life only with our eyes focused clearly on the Son. We only have to keep our eyes focused on the Son.
She also told me that Helen Keller, who could not see or hear said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do.” I think that is amazing!
Last of all, sunflowers produce seeds which sprout more sunflowers. When we face the Son do we produce the seeds of truth and sprout new growth? Do we share seeds of truth in God’s word, allowing God to use us to multiply believers?
Or, are we like the little yellow flower plucked from the ground, looking beautiful on the outside, but withering alone in a glass, not firmly planted and not multiplying? People ooh and awe over the beauty of the flower. But within a week it will have to be thrown away.
Isaiah 40:8New International Version (NIV)
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
Sherry Shepherd
Sherry Shepherd is an experienced, adaptable professional specialized in writing for faith-based organizations. She has worked as an editor and writer for newspaper, movie guides, publishing houses, churches and several non-profits. Her scope of work includes corporate and fundraising materials, advertising, web, brochures, booklets, books, blogs and biblical training materials. However, her heart is drawn to any type of creative writing, where she can motivate while conveying a biblical message and telling a story. Sherry is the mother of three grown children, who have been the source of some of her greatest joy, laughter and material!
