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Writer's picturePastor Linda Settles

Winning the Race Over ComparisonAdvice From a Sunflower

I came across this in one of my devotions…


Advice from a sunflower

Be bright, sunny, and positive. Know your roots. Spread seeds of happiness. Rise, shine, and hold your head up high

(author unknown)


I love seeing fields of sunflowers in bloom! They stand so straight and tall, waving in the gentle breeze, soaking up the sunshine! They almost look like they’re smiling. Majestic little pops of joy! They truly are bright, sunny, and positive. Bright and sunny we might understand, but positive? Well, if you think about it, the sunflower has only one job – to grow. And grow it does! 


In a previous sermon we talked about letting your roots go down deep, and how we are all connected to one another because we come from the same soil. So it is with the sunflower. That field of flowers is planted in the same soil, given the same amount of water and sunshine. Their roots go deep down and hold them steady. 


If you’ve ever been to Columbia Bottoms or seen a field of sunflowers in bloom, you know that they are quite a sight for sore eyes! Just the sight of them makes us smile and gaze in awe of their beauty. And that’s how it should be with believers in Jesus Christ. We all come from the same soil, the foundation laid by the prophets of old, built on the cornerstone of Christ. We know our roots. And like the sunflower, we should spread seeds of happiness, not division. Seeds of compassion, not comparison.


What if one of those sunflowers looked at another sunflower and got jealous? We would think that was silly, because they’re all beautiful! So it should be with us. Why look down on anyone or envy anyone? Why even compare yourself to anyone else? You are a unique, one-of-a-kind, designer original made by God. And if the apostle Paul has it right, then:


He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6


Just as we have witnessed in the Olympics, each of us has our own race to run or swim or high jump! The high jumper can’t say that because they’re not a swimmer they have no use. The swimmer can’t say that because I’m not a runner I have no use. No, each one has their own gifts, their own function in the Olympics, so they must run their own race. But they’re part of the same team. Sound familiar?


But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20


Instead of comparing ourselves to others, let’s just keep blooming where we’re planted. Be a sunflower - rise, shine, and hold your head up high! Together we will make a beautiful field of flowers reflecting the glory of God, and the world will be in awe of the mighty God who made it all happen with a single seed. I can see God smiling already!


Have you been caught in the comparison game? Let’s talk about it on Sunday as we continue the Olympics sermon series GT 2024: Winning the Race Over Comparison! 


See you on Sunday!


Vision for 2024:

A House United: 

Strong Faith, Strong Families, Strong Future!



Blessings,

Pastor Linda

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