How much do you know about sunflowers? They are really quite fascinating when you take some time to learn about them! As I sat on my deck early this morning, I noticed how all of my sunflower plants were facing east. Every day, the sunflower begins by facing east where the sun rises. As the day progresses, the sunflower turns to face the sun as it travels across the sky, ending in the west at sunset. Then, overnight, the sunflower turns back east, anticipating the sunrise the next morning.
Another fun fact about sunflowers is that the seeds are arranged in the Fibonacci sequence, to maximize the number of seeds in can pack into the head and optimize the chance of pollination. The leaves too are arranged in a spiral pattern, maximizing their exposure to the sun.
The sunflower plant knows exactly what it needs to grow, and goes after it in every way it can! There is no way to distract it from it's sole purpose of absorbing sunlight in the greatest quantity possible!
As I think about my faith in God, I am impressed by the tenacity of the sunflower. What if I was as focused on seeking after Jesus as the sunflower is in seeking the sun? What if I woke up every morning, looking for, waiting to experience closeness with Him. What if my focus on Him did not waver as the day progressed and I kept Him in my sights at all times, as I interacted with others, took care of my children, made decision after decision. And at the end of the day, when I lay down to rest, I would reset overnight, so that I would be ready to wake up the next day, walking with Him all over again.
The complexity and beauty and mathematical genius of the sunflower is just one of many examples in Creation of a masterful Creator Who cares about what He creates. And I am told that He cares so much more about you and me...
Before the heat became too oppressive, I spent some time in the backyard, with Tessa helping, planting more sunflowers. I hope as we watch them grow over the next few months, they can inspire us to seek the Son more passionately, to remember where our strength and hope and sustenance comes from.
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