What is the spiritual meaning of the sunflower?

Sunflowers keep popping into my life recently, my mom, sister, daughter, and I went to a sunflower field and picked sunflowers. My friend and I got together for a painting party and painted a sunflower field. And, we took a girls’ trip to see the Van Gogh immersive exhibit. So, I started wondering, “What is the spiritual meaning of the sunflower?” I also wondered what God wanted to teach me (and you) about sunflowers.

Heliotropic

First, I learned that sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning oriented by sunlight. They literally crave the sun! In the morning the flowers are faced toward the east, just waiting for the sun to rise. They spend the day following the sun through the sky into the west. Then, during the night they turn back toward the east, just waiting for the sun to rise again. How cool is that? They were created to face the sun, and we were created to face the son. How do you prepare to worship God? Do you wake up and have a quiet time before the day starts? At night before you go to bed do you ready yourself for the morning?

“From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

The Fibonacci spiral

Next is the awesome pattern of the seeds. Have you noticed this pattern?

This pattern is called the Fibonacci spiral and it is found everywhere in nature. It is a mathematical marvel. The sequence of Fibonacci numbers is 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21…. infinity. Each number is the sum of the previous two numbers.

You can find this pattern in pinecones, pineapples, flower petals, seashells, hurricane patterns, our fingerprints, our ears, the hair pattern on the tops of our heads, and the seeds of a sunflower. Everywhere!

I read a book to my class called, “Where does God live” by Holly Bea. Grandma is explaining where God lives and this is what she says, “When God makes a person, a star, or a wave, a part of God stays with whatever God’s made.” The Fibonacci spiral is almost like God’s fingerprint on all things he has created. Every living thing contains this Golden spiral; from DNA to how the galaxy spins. Sometimes I just think of the greatness of all creation and it takes my breath away.

“Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20

Planting the seeds of faith

Finally is how large a sunflower grows. Sunflowers grow to an average height of 5 to 10 feet. This takes rich soil, strong roots, and lots of water and sunshine. The farmer sows to prepare the land. He plants the seeds, waters, and cares for the land. The plant grows strong roots to help hold it steady as it moves with the sun every day. The stem is hardy and after the flower has reached its peak, it starts to wilt and the seeds fall to the ground to start a new life again.

This life cycle is just like our walk with the Lord. The new seed soaks in the presence of God. Sowers plant the knowledge of God. The waterers faithfully pour into new Christians to help them grow. The sunflowers follow God and the new seeds are the promises of future generations. And, We get droopy without the Son!

“Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up” Galatians 6:9

Self-care

Today, go for a walk and feel the warm sun on your face. As you are walking in nature look for those golden spirals of God’s fingerprints in all of his creation. I hope you learned more about what is the spiritual meaning of the sunflower.

Dear God,

Help me to crave time to be with you. Help me to follow the pattern you have set for my life and help me to sow, reap and harvest the many blessings you have for my life. Let me keep my eyes and heart turned toward the Son.

Amen

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