There is a field of sunflowers between my house and my friend Delinda's house.
This is the first year I've ever seen them. I don't know whether the crop is seeds for eating, seeds for growing, or sunflower oil. But there they are.
I was deeply moved by the sight of this field, but I couldn't figure out why until I had seen it several times in one weekend.
I mentioned to my friend how beautiful they were.
She said, I wish you had seen them when they were in full bloom!
But I didn't have to. Because that's when I realized why they had incited such a response in me.
This sunflower has seen better days. She has lost her petals. She doesn't stand as tall as she used to. Her vibrant yellow color has faded to a mellow green. Every day that she has lived is evident in her withered leaves. But I don't have to see what she used to look like to appreciate her beauty.
Because what use is a sunflower if it blooms forever and never changes? The real purpose of the plant is to create seeds that will be used for sustenance and make more sunflowers. In order to meet her full potential, this flower must age, fade, and die.
I am this sunflower.
My body bears the scars of childbirth, age, and imperfect diet...my soul bears the scars of heartbreak, regret, and loss. I may be broken and bruised, but I am that much closer to the real me--the person God made me to be. If I let Him, He'll use every scar and heartache to teach me more about Himself. To draw me closer to Him. To lead others to Him.
If I can die to the world's idea of beauty and perfection, to my own selfishness and pride, and spend my time and energy seeking God's perfect will for my life, I can actually be useful to the Kingdom of God. I can fill the role He made me to fill.
Imagine that each of these flowers is someone like me. Someone broken and tired, someone the world sees as imperfect and unlovely. Someone who desperately needs to know she is valued and loved.
Imagine that each of these flowers is someone who God has gathered to Himself. And each one is being comforted and loved by Him. He is healing their wounds, showing them His purposes, and giving them Life.
Imagine that each of these flowers is someone who has accepted the life that Christ paid for through the cross.
This is the Body of Christ. God takes broken hearts, tired souls, withered bodies and gives them new life, renewed purpose, the promise of eternity.
Imagine what it will be like one day, to be standing at foot of the throne, crowded shoulder to shoulder, one redeemed soul after another, possibly still showing some of the scars of this life, but possessing hearts fully healed and perfected through the salvation of Jesus, row after row after row, bowing our heads in reverence to our Creator...
Worshipping God by the hundreds.
Thousands.
Millions.
I am a sunflower.
So are you.
