Heavenly Sunshine
by Kim Larsen
Isaiah 61:11 says, “For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations”.
My little granddaughter planted two little sunflower seeds in a cup sometime before school was out. When she brought them home, they were about 2 inches tall. She was so eager to see them grow, that I transplanted them into a large pot out on the deck. It wasn’t long before they had grown to be about 8 inches tall. Tall enough that our little grandson gave it a quick karate chop and we were back to just one smaller plant! She was so sad and heartbroken that I not only watered the plant but also fed it on a regular basis. Now, it is as tall as she is with a nice sturdy stalk, and little brother is forbidden to even look at it! We are so protective of it that NaNa even ran out in a hail storm to bring it closer to the house for protection!
I noticed yesterday, that the plant now turns toward the sun, even before it has a flower ! It is really amazing to see and of course it is an excellent object lesson for us! The name for this turning toward the sun is heliotropism. This allows the plant maximum photosynthesis by tracking the sun. By morning the whole plant shifts back to the east and waits for the sun to rise again! God’s creation is amazing! As in the natural so is the spiritual sowing. The teacher of truth must seek to prepare the soil of the heart, he must sow the seed but the power that alone can produce life is from God. There is a point beyond which human effort is in vain. While we are to preach the Word, we cannot impart the power that will quicken the soul and cause righteousness and praise to spring forth. We just sow the seed, God will take care of the growth and the fruit! Thank you Lord for your creation! Our attention shifts to You like the sunflower turns to the sun!
