“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done.”
Psalm 105:4-5
Beside a garden statue in my backyard, a sunflower is growing. I think perhaps a bird dropped a seed there since I didn’t plant it. Each morning I watch as it slowly lifts its large yellow face toward the rising sun. Throughout the day, its face will follow a path across the sky until sunset in movement that is barely perceptible to my eyes. Yet it turns.
The way of this sunflower reminds me of what the Christian life often is like. We sprout up in Christ as a “seed” watered by whoever God has put in our lives. We may have had dry spells where we didn’t grow much. But eventually, we turn in His direction. It may not have been very distinctive to begin with, but now here we are, our faces following Him and His light each day.
Jesus never claimed that seeking after Him would be trouble-free. In fact, He made it clear that the road of following Him would be hard. These many years into my life with Him, I can testify to the reality of hardships, but also to the greater and more wonderful reality of His joy and peace.
The way of this sunflower reminds me of what the Christian life often is like. We sprout up in Christ as a “seed” watered by whoever God has put in our lives. We may have had dry spells where we didn’t grow much. But eventually, we turn in His direction. It may not have been very distinctive to begin with, but now here we are, our faces following Him and His light each day.
Jesus never claimed that seeking after Him would be trouble-free. In fact, He made it clear that the road of following Him would be hard. These many years into my life with Him, I can testify to the reality of hardships, but also to the greater and more wonderful reality of His joy and peace.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 22:25-27
Insight
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,/ Look full in His wonderful face,/ And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,/ In the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
Bible In A Year
- Judges 20-21
- Psalm 119:1-88
- 1 Corinthians 12
