We find life in the Son

Did you know that sunflowers face the sun as it moves across the sky throughout the day? The center (or the head) of the sunflower constantly looks up towards the sun in order to absorb it's rays and grow into beautiful flowers. The sun is the source of their existence. Hence the name sunflower, you learn something new everyday!

Apparently this has been going on since the beginning of time, and I just figured it out a few days ago. SOOO that's that...

But anyways, when I heard this simple yet amazing fact about sunflowers it sparked a similiarity in my mind...

We should be the sunflowers in our everyday life.

We should be consistently fixing our eyes towards the ultimate Son, Jesus Christ our savior. He should be the source of our life each and every day. The one we look to even when things get tough.

Even in the midst of chaos, when we feel as if the clouds are covering the sun from our view. When our troubles seem to become larger than God's purpose in our life. We must continue to fix our eyes upon the One who gives us life, meaning, and purpose.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"

-Isaiah 26:3

Peace. That's what we all desire. That's what God desires for us. To provide us with peace that overcomes all understanding.

But how do we get this peace? In Christ alone.

When we clog our minds with thoughts that aren't glorifying God, and lose sight of His promises we experience all of the things that are not from God. God doesn't want us consumed and fixated on things that aren't of Him. When we seek Jesus and His promises, those things that aren't of God begin to fade away. We aren't consumed by those things when we are fixated on eternal promises.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

- 1 Corinthians 4:17-18

I think this verse brings to light some things that we all struggle with. We can become consumed with our troubles, those little things that are a blimp on the scale in the midst of eternity.

God refers to them as "light and momentary", not "intense and ongoing." Our eternal glory with Christ outweighs them ALL.

Think about this for a second,

When a sunflower faces the sun, the petals and leaves thrive and reflect the beauty of God's creation. But when a sunflower fails to track the sun, the vibrant yellow petals begin to shrivel up and die.

The same goes for us as Christians, our soul thrives when we fix our eyes on Jesus. When we fix our eyes on His promises each day, we grow. When we truly believe in our hearts that we are beloved, anointed, blessed, and that God is the reason for life itself.

But when we begin to shift our focus and identity towards worldly things such as our success, careers, money, appearance, etc. we begin to feel ourselves and our identity dwindle. Our petals begin to fade and droop and we no longer are fixated on the Son but focused on things that are fleeting. Our souls begin to die.

The truth is if we put our hope and our identity in those worldly things, we will never be satisfied. Can I just tell you right now you will NEVER be fully satisfied. Only Jesus Christ can fully satisfy your soul.

Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever comes to Him will NEVER thirst.

Imagine yourself as a sunflower.

Radiating beauty and color.

Planted within a field of sunflowers.

The sun rises in the east.

Slowly your head rises to face the sun.

All the flowers in the field look up to the sun in the sky.

All of a sudden you are filled with warmth and meaning.

You never faced away from the sun because otherwise you would feel cold, and lost.

Everyday you looked up to the sun.

Knowing that it was the reason you were alive.

The same goes for us. When we look to Jesus each day we are reminded of the purpose He gives us. That we aren't alone in this life, and soon we will return to be with our Heavenly Father in paradise.

Wherever you are today whether it be at work inside a cubicle, at school inside a classroom, or at a coffee shop working on homework. God is always there. He longs for us to fix our eyes on Him even in the mundane things. So wherever you are or whatever you are doing, don't forget to fix your eyes on the giver of life, Jesus Christ. Not on the things that are fleeting but the things that are eternal.

Take after the sunflowers in the field and fixate yourself & your life on the One true Son.

Dear God,

I pray over anyone reading this today.

I pray over their hearts and their souls.

God, I pray that they won't be entangled by the things of this world.

I pray that they will see your life and your promises, and fix their eyes on those things.

The things that are worthy of praise and glorifying in your name.

God you give us purpose, life, and meaning.

Thank you that we have an everlasting hope that never fades.

I pray that wherever we are today, whatever situation we are in whether good or bad we will seek you through it.

You are the purpose of life itself, remind us that everything of this world is fleeting. Remind us of your promises that are everlasting.

In your name I pray, Amen.