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riving to The City, I saw a sight I’d never witnessed in my life. As far as the eye could see, I was surrounded by wild Sunflowers. Mile after mile, bright yellow faces focused on their longing–the sun. The Oklahoma wind swirled through the fields, and the Sunflowers danced with abandon as if all heaven were watching.

As the sun-lovers mature, their faces follow the sun across the sky from sunrise to sunset. Through the night their faces bow, returning east. The rising sun gives renewed strength as the Sunflowers’ roots reach deeper depths and stalks reach higher heights.

Worldwide there are thousands of varieties of Sunflowers adding up to a total of–God only knows–and yet no two are alike. Throughout the Sunflower’s life, seeds are scattered near and far in a myriad of ways. Against all odds, one can find a lone Sunflower in the remotest of regions springing up through a crevice or gaze upon golden fields stretching to the horizon–which no man can number.

The Sunflower becomes heavier during seed production; the stem stiffens and the face no longer tracks the sun from one end of the heavens to the other; generally, the face faces east.

As Sunflowers near the end of their one season–they whither, bow, and turn to dust.

🌻🌻🌻

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mathew 6:14, 16).

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 4:8).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 🌻