There were a number of verses I could have chosen for this month’s dwelling place, urging us to be mindful of God with us through our days, but I chose Hebrews 12:2 for the strength imbued in the word fixing. And I’m introducing sunflowers to help us reflect on our theme.
I’ve always liked the bright summer colour of their towering blooms and enjoy sprinkling their seeds on my salads. But last July (2024), sunflowers became extra special for me when the Holy Spirit used them to inspire some helpful thoughts to my heart; first while driving to a two-day retreat and then a number of times afterwards.
I will share just one of those thoughts here, and I admit, it is a well known fact, but it’s a timely month to be reminded that sunflowers focus on the sun. Their heads track its pathway across the sky through the day then turn eastwards again at night to await the next sunrise. This ability maximises their exposure to sunlight which in turn, aids the chemical process whereby they create ‘sugars’ for healthy growth (photosynthesis).
The analogy is obvious but not always easy to put into practice; fixing our attention on the Son through our day – being present to His presence from the moment we wake until the moment we sleep to strengthen and grow our relationship and energise our work with Him.
So when you see a sunflower this month I hope this fact comes to mind, reminding you of Hebrews 12:2.
Some of you may not have any sunflowers nearby, of course, so here are a few more ideas to help us dwell and respond to this verse this month:
How can I make Jesus my first thought as I wake? For example:
– Set a worship song as an alarm and allow a few minutes to worship before getting up.
– Have my bible by the bed to remind me of Him, and/or prompt a few minutes to dwell with Him in His Word.
– Pause to say “hello” and thank Him for the day before getting up.
What other times in the day could I pause to focus on Jesus, fixing my attention on Him to talk, listen, worship or simply be still? For example:
– Set another alarm / worship song at noon, mid-afternoon and/or mid-evening.
– Choose the longest queue while shopping.
– Resist multi-tasking while waiting for the kettle to boil.
You could also keep a copy of Hebrews 12:2 in various places to remind you to focus on His presence with you through the day. For example:
– A sticky note by your bed, on the fridge, on the windowsill where you work or sit, on your desk or in the car.
– Make it your screensaver.
– Have it written at the top or bottom of a page, week or month-to-view diary.
And finally, as you get into bed, reading a few verses of scripture, using a prayer book or practicing the *Examen or *Compline, can refresh your focus and peace in Him before sleeping.
(*If you are unfamiliar with either of these practices a search online will help explain them … perhaps I’ll unpack them further in a future post!)