Last May, while I was away on a bike trip, my wife and her sister did play. Spell that shopping, and they each bought a small succulent plant, Northern Lights, or sempervivum for any xerophile enthusiasts out there (the rest will have to look it up, like I did). It loves light, so Sheila placed it behind our kitchen sink, with windows on both sides. Soon came her concern, “Something is wrong with this plant, it’s not growing right. Small “chicks” had grown out from the center “hen,” but only on one side. The poor plant lost its balance.
Fortunately, Sheila had a former junior high science teacher around who remembered some of what he had taught decades back. He replied, “That’s photosynthesis and phototropism working together.” That drew a blank stare, so he explained that plants grow by photosynthesis as they turn light into energy. So, needing light to grow, they tend to lean, or grow, into the light: phototropism. As a result, the Northern Lights chicks only grew on the side facing the light to get. A simple solution: turn the plant 180 degrees so the bare side faced the window. Within a few weeks chicks started to grow there, and now it’s pretty balanced, so we regularly turn it.
Ever get your life unbalanced spiritually? The metaphor of that sempervivum cactus starts the journey, but let’s add another metaphor to the process, “Light (Jesus) has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19), so connect darkness to evil and light to God’s righteousness. Because Jesus entered our world, we have access spiritually and emotionally and physically to the light that he provides.
That light shows us the right path for our lives, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). One result is that with our light from him, we can share it with others, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). We shine when we walk with him.
And, like with the cactus and photosynthesis, we gain energy to live the life he sets out for us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” (Acts 1:8). A pretty good design, isn’t it?
But the question is, if we live in photosynthesis, do we live in phototropism? Or, do we let the light of Jesus shine into all dimensions of our lives? Do we keep some areas hidden in darkness? If so, we’ll live spiritually out of balance. The solution? Let Jesus shine into all our lives. Love the light more than the darkness we sometimes hold onto.
Here’s a suggestion. While writing this, the earlier praise song “Shine Jesus Shine” by Graham Kendrick came to mind. Look up the lyrics, and ponder them. I pray it will continue to touch you as you strive to be a cactus for Jesus.
Kick Starting the Application
Do you have areas you hide from Jesus? What keeps you from letting him shine? Maybe ask his Spirit to show some to you.