Both of my parents are really good with plants.

The apple fell far–very, very far–from the tree.

I kill everything. Including the plants that are said to be unkillable, like succulents.  They may be able to live in the harsh desert, but under my care is far more frightening a prospect.

I received a set of four succulents in a shared pot for Christmas last year (that’s 2017!) that I am proud to say are almost all almost alive.  I’ll let you be the judge.

Here’s the thing about this particular plant.  To the right of this picture is a bank of windows that stream in sunlight all day.  Directly above the plant is a light that stays on for hours each day and night.

Let’s look at each of the two little (sad!) plant parts in turn.  The first looks like it attempted to go upward toward the lightbulb above but after a while it gave up and just flopped over, straight down.  It actually still has quite a few signs of life to it.  The overarching picture, however, is not one of good health. The second headed for the door as soon as it broke ground!  It never seemed to be fooled by that artificial light from above.  It wanted the real thing and made a beeline to the window to get it.  

This is not just a picture of plants, but of believers as well.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.    Philippians 3:14

We have an instinctive draw toward something beyond ourselves, we strive after things, or people, or goals, or whatever.  We set our hearts on these things and strain to reach them.  We, like the second plant, should know what to strive after and be unwilling to chase anything lesser.  The Son is all we want, all we need, all we press toward.  

But.  Artificial light can be tricky.  We often misplace the honor of that drawing potential.  We strive after those artificial lights that tempt and lure us.  In the end, just like the first plant, they leave us unhealthy and sometimes we struggle to not give in on the heels of longing and starvation.  Even a plant knows that artificial light isn’t the same.  It may make us feel warm and nurtured for a while, but it doesn’t produce the vitality and life that we seek.  

There are many artificial lights in our world today.  People strive after all manner of artificial satisfiers.  In the end, they will always leave us a bit low and hungry.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.         Colossians 3:1-2

Sonlight is the only light that we are to set our hearts on, press on toward, strain after, strive for.  It is also the only light that leaves us well nourished, fruitful, vital, and healthy. We’ve been called heavenward, let’s strain toward it even now.