Move Towards the Light

One of the clearest memories I have of primary school integrated Science is planting seeds in two pots. One was placed on the window sill; the other was placed in a dark closet. Every day we examined both of the pots. For several weeks, nothing happened. Then, the seeds sprout

At first, both plants looked the same. Then they began to diverge. The plant on the window sill began turning its leaves toward the sun. The one in the closet became pale, thin, and grew in a confused manner. We really didn’t grab the scientific explanation for this at that time but we would later understand in Agricultural science class in secondary school that trees grow toward the light in a process called phototropism, from the Greek phos (light) and tropos (turning).

Why do plants grow towards the light? Simple, it’s in search for food. Plants are typically sessile, meaning they cannot move around to acquire what they need. To solve this problem, they feed through a process called Photosynthesis, a process through which they convert water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and light into sugars, which are used for energy and growth.

While Photosynthesis may bring back the memory of elementary science to many us. The truth is that Photosynthesis was first a biblical principle. In John 7:37, Jesus said “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink”. Just the following chapter he made another profound statement that gave more sense to the previous one. In John 8:12 he said, “I am the light of the world.”

What does marrying these two statements suggest? That Christ is the Light and as we channel our focus towards him we receive strength and we are filled with the bread of heaven. Our true hunger filled and our thirst is quenched, then we stop living for the bread that perishes. If Christ is not our focus, we will be nothing more than a plant starved of light which withers away with time.

So, ask yourself today what’s it going to be? A Christ-focused life or a self-centred life?