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Listen while you read: "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee"1
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Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Where we live, sunflowers grow abundantly. They grace gardens in town, bloom as farmers' crops, and even wave jauntily from the roadside ditches. My young granddaughters are fascinated with these flowers and how they faithfully follow the sun from the time it comes up until the time it retires in the evening. Wherever the golden orb is, these beautiful and sunny flowers will have their floral faces turned toward it, uplifted with what could be termed a joyous expression.
As I contemplated this phenomenon of the sunflower, I thought about my joy and my following of the Son — the Son of God, Jesus, Who stated this truth: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12b NIV)
In today's world, there is much darkness. In droves, people have turned away from God. With this turning away, a void has been created in our society, a void that has been filled up with godlessness, a looking to darkness, the darkness of our own human minds, rather than the light of the world: Jesus.
In light of this fact, and the consequences that we are seeing in our societies in the forms of violence, intolerance, hatred, war, immorality, mental illness, climate change, disease, and so much more, I find that I must be ever diligent not to become discouraged and fearful for the future. Rather, like the radiant sunflower, I, too, must follow the sun, the light of the world: Jesus. I must keep my face, my eyes, looking to Him and His truth, day and night, for He Who watches over us will not slumber nor let our feet slip. (Psalm 121:3)
By keeping my face and the eyes of my inner spirit focused upon Him, I am reminded that God is still in control. Jesus, the light of the world, is not dead. He is alive, now and forevermore, and He has a plan for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Part of that plan is that we should overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, an overflowing which results in peace and joy within, as well as without, in the form of a sunny countenance and a word or action of hope and encouragement to others that they, too, might come to know the light of the world: Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, how thankful we are, that as we look to You amidst the darkness of this world, we need not despair but rather be filled with an overflowing of hope, peace, and joy through the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Christ's name, we thank You. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Thanks Lynne, always look forward to your inspiring devotionals. Blessings.
I did not know that about sunflowers.
Thank-you and happy thanksgiving!
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for your beautiful message today!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne. Another good lesson for me to ponder. Keep doing the good will of the Father.
We are challenged to transmit the Light of Jesus through compassion and understanding for others.
Hi Lynne
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings.
Lynne, when I read your devotional today, this song bubbled up into my memory. Sunlight, Sunlight, In My Soul Today.
Thank you for the image of sunflowers.
Your post was really encouraging and full of hope and you’re right, we all need that, Lynne! Nice to envision the sunflowers too, the deer ate most of our sunflower plants the last two years.
Good morning, Lynne, another great reading from you! So very true, as to what our world has become. Keeping our eyes up Jesus is such a Blessing so many are missing.
Hope you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
(Ontario)
Lynne, Your devotional reminds me of a huge field of sunflowers I saw once. Every flower was turned toward the sun, making them all face the road. Car drivers parked along the roadside to take pictures. The beauty was captivating.
If we all turn our faces toward the Son of God – the beauty of his love would be powerful.
Thank you for your devotional and lesson about the sunflowers and how we need to let our light shine. It also reminded me of Psalm 27:1 which I claimed in high school as my favorite…”The Lord is my light and my salvation.” Keep on sharing and rejoicing in the hope that we have in Jesus as the light of the world.
Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne ,
Thank you for your good words this morning. There is indeed a void in society, our neighbour who attends the united church here in town, told me the other day there were 23 people at worship last Sunday, the church holds about 250 I would guess. A void indeed.
Blessings.
Ah Lynne. You struck a chord again today. It is such an important first step to watch Jesus. But also to know where to find him. Sometimes He is hidden in plain sight. Sometimes He comes dancing on the winds of others’ lives. And sometimes He waits for us to recognize him as the disciples did after the resurrection. I love the sunflower analogy and find it a reassuring reminder of keeping our eyes on the prize. Well done, Lynne. Thank you.
Thank you, Lynne, for your excellent and very uplifting devotional today. Your words are “right on” for what is needed in this world today. There is such “dark” news about happenings all across the world these days and seeking Jesus and following His ways is what is really needed to bring “light” back. Our loving Lord is the one to bring peace and joy into our lives. Blessings for these very positive and encouraging writings you prepare. Keep enjoying the beauty of those sunflowers and have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Good morning, Lynne,
Sunflowers do look sunny and are very uplifting. Your devotional is also uplifting and reminding us to remember that God is in charge, and we are to do our part of shining the light of Jesus. Just as the sunflowers perk up people’s moods as they wave in the breeze, we are to be part of the God’s plan to continue to shine our light to offer hope, love, and peace.
The song chosen to go with your devotional is also uplifting to add to your wonderful message. May you be filled with the light of Jesus as you go about your day. Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne!
Great advice, Lynne. It is a dark and discouraging world.
Thank you, Lynne, for Saturday’s devotion. I liked it so much that I read it again today.
Blessings to you,
(Quebec)
Hi very nicely said.