This past year in late winter, my wife, Diane, who adores plants, both indoor and outdoor, sowed flower seeds in small germination pods in the hopes of having flora to transplant outside in the spring. These included sunflowers that, according to the seed packet, were to reach a maximum height of one foot. So, once they began to sprout, I eventually transplanted them to my small vegetable garden that I plant each year. Only two sunflowers survived the transplant in later weeks.
Over the course of the summer, I watered the sunflowers daily, and my wife and I watched them grow along with the other vegetables in the garden. One of the two sunflowers reached its maximum height of a foot but had not yet produced a flower. The other sunflower continued to grow tall, and it soon exceeded my height and kept aiming skyward.
As of mid-September, the time at which I am typing these words, we have two blooming sunflowers—one 12 inches high with a single stunning bright-yellow bloom, and the other, an 11-foot monster that is loaded with buds and flowers from top to bottom. There are nine flowers at the very top alone! Unfamiliar with sunflower varieties that sported massive leaves and countless flowers, I found out through Google that we were nurturing a ‘King Kong’ sunflower, its official name. Somehow, the seed from this behemoth ended up in the same seed packet as its jealous little brother perched right beside him.
Watering the sunflower each day to help it mature and grow to its full potential, I’m guessing that you understand my reasons for telling you this story—that as Christians, if we don’t water our faith with the word of God, then we simply won’t grow to our full potential. When the Lord sows the seeds of faith in our hearts, it becomes our job to apply water, allowing us to mature in Christ.
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)
If I had not watered our ‘King Kong’ sunflower or anything else in the garden, then my yield would have been small, and my ‘bean stock’ sunflower might not have grown to near Goliath height! Personally, I feel closer to God when I spend time in His word. I’m stronger when I pray, and I am far better equipped to handle the ups and downs in my life when I am assured that Jesus is by my side and is helping me to grow in faith, trust, and peace, exactly where He wants me/us to be.
My friend: I encourage you to set your roots deep in Jesus Christ. Reach for your Bible often. Pray continuously, even for the smallest of things. He hears every word and sees every tear. He will neither leave you nor forsake you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.
Now, it is time to grab my Bible and my watering can. Care to join me?
Paul Smyth
