My eyes scanned our backyard, trying to find something interesting to take a picture of. We have clusters of flowers in our front yard, but I wanted something else, something more unusual. My eyes fell to the abandoned place behind our shed. It used to be a garden, but the soil was too rough for flowers to take root, and instead it had been mainly forgotten about, besides for the growing weeds. Yet, in the midst of the weeds, a single black eyed susan flower stood out, standing tall. Faint colors of purple swirled in the middle, and the bright yellow petals spread out in every direction. The instant I saw it, I knew there was something different about it. It stood out from all the rest, and there was no denying it. We’re living in this world, but we’re told to stand out. You can’t fit in with the world’s pattern and live for Jesus. It’s a choice between the two--the world, or Jesus. If you pick Jesus, you will stand out. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Just like that black eyed susan growing among weeds, is our love for Jesus so noticeable that we stick out? Can others see Jesus’ love for others through our smiles? Are we so filled with Jesus that people can’t help but ask what’s different about us?
Kayla Joy
