Driving home from Oamaru one Sunday afternoon, we were approaching the vast sunflower field at the southern end of Timaru. From a distance, we saw a woman on the side road looking at the sunflower field.
As we drew nearer, we noticed she was walking back and forth, trying to find a path through the wire fence.
We also saw that the sunflowers had turned their back on the highway and were facing the setting sun.
As we passed, we figured out the tourist was trying to get a selfie with the flowers.
She needs to cross the fence and into the middle of the field to take a photo with the sunflowers facing the camera.
We laughed at the thought that the sunflowers might not want their picture taken.
The sunflower is an excellent metaphor for believers who follow Jesus Christ. Yes, Christians are “Son-followers.”
However, some Christians have become so focused and transfixed on following the first part of Jesus Christ’s greatest commandment – to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind- that they neglect the second part, which is to love their neighbour as themselves.
“Son-followers” are not like rigid sunflowers with no flexibility to turn around and cater to the tourists’ (pilgrim) needs.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
As we praise and worship Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light, let us turn around and look out for pilgrims we need to rescue, save, and love as we love ourselves.
NOTE: This was first published in the Oamaru Baptist Church Newsletter.
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