Last year we planted sunflowers from one of those garden kits for kids. Never did I imagine that they would actually grow. Neither did I know they are annuals and they would come back. So, we have 4 sunflower plants this year in a sort of random place near our deck. Given another chance, it’s not the location I’d choose.
I’ve been astounded, though, how the tops of the stalks follow the sun during the day. It’s very odd to see a plant move, as if it had a mind to do so.
In the morning, the top of the plant is bent at a 45 degree angle towards the east. Our house sits facing north, so the plant is facing the left side of the yard in the morning. Around noon, you can see that the plant is erect, reaching toward the sun at the top of the sky. By the evening, the top of the plant is bent over at a 45 degree angle, but facing west, where the sun is setting.
At this point, we’re probably not surprised the name is the sunflower.
I couldn’t help but draw a few spiritual conclusions from this little plant. I’m not the first to do so. Indigenous Americans actually used the sunflower as the symbol of their solar deity. There is something about that little plant who follows the light.
I decided to do some more reading on our littler sunflower.
Beyond any spiritual implications, simply the pattern of the sunflower seeds is astounding.
The disk flowers are arranged spirally. Generally, each floret is oriented toward the next by approximately the golden angle, 137.5°, producing a pattern of interconnecting spirals, where the number of left spirals and the number of right spirals are successive Fibonacci numbers. Typically, there are 34 spirals in one direction and 55 in the other; on a very large sunflower there could be 89 in one direction and 144 in the other.[2][3][4] This pattern produces the most efficient packing of seeds within the flower head.[5][6][7]
I mean. Beyond the beauty of the pattern, the seeds are arranged just so so that the most amount of seeds are packed in. Does that astound you like it does me?
Let’s not even get into all the uses for the seeds once the growth is complete.
© Rhphotos
Extracted sunflower oil is used in cooking, as a carrier oil, to produce biodiesel, as a food for both humans and animals. It can even be used to extract toxins from the soil.
I was disappointed, though, to find out that the following of the sun actually stops once the flower head is formed.
Once the flower heads are formed, they point in a fixed direction throughout the day, typically eastern.
I truly believe God’s glory is displayed throughout creation. If I’m drawing spiritual conclusions from this, it didn’t make sense to me. Why, when the flower appeared and it finally matured and was useful would it stop following the sun? It seems to me that the more mature a plant got, the MORE it should follow the sun.
In an article describing heliotropism (the condition that makes plants turn towards the sun), it says this:
The buds are heliotropic until the end of the bud stage, and finally face east, allowing the flowers of the sunflower to be used as inexact living compasses.[10]
Oh gosh, are you getting it?
These flowers are stationary towards the East and therefore are LIVING COMPASSES. They are mature, steady, and literally helping others in their journey. If a lost traveler comes upon a sunflower field, he can quite literally know what direction to go based on the knowledge that the sunflower points East.
When a plant is still growing and moves to follow the sun, at high noon, you can’t use that plant for direction because it’s pointing straight up at the sky. It’s no use to anyone.
When the plant is fixed and firm towards the east, lost travelers can use that as a living compass.
I believe it is a picture of a mature Christian. Once Christians have matured and have developed their skills, talents and abilities-the things they were made for—they naturally help others in their journey.
As Christians, I believe we can always help someone else on their journey, but as one matures, I think she does that more and more. A maturing Christian learns the talents and gifts the Lord has given them and not only can people enjoy that, they are naturally pointing others toward Christ.
Have you ever met someone like that? Where they are mature, steady and strong—they know and you know what their gift is from God and simply seeing it on display draws you closer to God? It’s the most beautiful thing to watch.
So, while I still love watching our sunflowers bend toward the sun all day, I am looking forward to watching the beautiful flower head firmly point toward the East, knowing that its purpose could lay beyond itself. And pray the same for myself.
*If you want to read more, here are the two WIKI pages I used: Sunflower and Heliotropism
Wow. So cool. Never thought about a flower in that way before.
I feel like I’m growing as a Christian. It’s so hard to consider myself as a mature Christian. I think part of the reason is that saying I’m a baby Christian might get me off the hook a bit. Not as much as required of us.
So maybe I should consider myself mature and hold myself accountable to acts of righteousness, selfishness and love like never before. And most importantly building others up in the knowledge and goodness of God.
Found you through the House that Mercy Built.
Have a great week! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments recently posted…When Opposites Attract
Just concentrate on your relationship with Jesus and he will help you mature and find those gifts. Part of maturing (I’m realizing) is admitting you don’t have it together and yet knowing Jesus accepts us anyway. That is a great way to build others up!
So glad you hopped over. I love Kristen and Mercy House!