Heliotropism Love

Heliotropism Love: Turning Toward God’s Light

Whoa—look at all these sunflowers! They’re incredible, aren’t they? From the moment they sprout, sunflowers naturally follow the sun, turning their faces toward the light all day long.

This movement is called heliotropism, and God designed them that way—always seeking the light. I can’t help but think that’s exactly how God designed us: to turn our faces toward Him.

But let’s be honest—so often, we don’t.

When We Look Down

Instead of turning to God, we find ourselves looking down at the dirt. When we do, we see our problems, our broken world, and our sin and shame. The more we stare at the dirt, the heavier life feels.

The psalms speak to this human struggle. In Psalm 42, the writer asks:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him.”

The psalmist recognized the heaviness of looking down—and pointed us back to hope.

Set Your Eyes on the Light

Just as sunflowers don’t grow by gazing at the dirt, neither do we. Growth happens when we turn toward the light.

Paul wrote in Colossians 3:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Don’t keep your eyes on the dirt. Lift them up to the Son. Lift them toward the hills, “where your help comes from.”

When we turn upward, we begin to notice what is good, beautiful, and true about God and His kingdom of love.

Growing in God’s Presence

Just as flowers instinctively follow the sun, we too can choose—day after day—to turn toward Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

When we do, His light warms us. His love transforms us. His presence helps us grow into who we were created to be, no matter what challenges we face.

So let’s turn toward God’s light together. Let’s remind one another to lift our eyes. The more we do, the more our lives will reflect His light into a dark world.

A Simple Reminder

Maybe next time you see a sunflower, remember this simple truth:

You were not made to keep your eyes on the dirt.
You were made to turn your face toward the light—toward the warmth of God’s eternal love.

That is where true life begins. That is how we grow in Christ together.

Amen.