Okay, so I’m a wannabe. (See here, here and here). You’ve probably heard me say this before and I’ll probably say it again. I wannabe organized, but all the planners and baskets in the world will not control the chaos of my life unless I put them into use. I wannabe health conscious. There are just sooooo many things I’d rather do than exercise and, as much as I do enjoy good-for-me-food, the not-so-good-for-me-food keeps taunting me. Truth be told, I have many aspirations and few accomplishments as a wannabe.
Long ago at a church convention meeting, we were challenged to reach people with the gospel and I am reminded of that message every spring as the dandelions make their appearance. The speaker shared that unlike many flowers and plants, a field of dandelions would quickly and easily spread to the adjoining fields through the scattering of their seeds. One dandelion can propagate a whole army of these flowers, covering acres of ground in short order. Though dandelions may be a bane to farmers, we want to be dandelions when it comes to the gospel message.
While some see these prolific plants as weeds, you just can’t help but admire their fortitude, not to mention their sunshine-y presence. Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”
Here are some interesting facts according to mydandelionisaflower.org:
- The dandelion flower opens to greet the morning and closes in the evening to go to sleep.
- Every part of the dandelion is useful: root, leaves, flower. It can be used for food, medicine and dye for coloring.
- Up until the 1800s people would pull grass out of their lawns to make room for dandelions and other useful “weeds” like chickweed, malva, and chamomile.
- The name dandelion is taken from the French word “dent de lion” meaning lion’s tooth, referring to the coarsely-toothed leaves.
- Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant.
- Seeds are often carried as many as 5 miles from their origin!
Dandelions can also spread by shoots from roots or even just a segment of root. They are survivors and I sometimes think they actually duck when they hear the lawnmower! Dandelions contribute to soil health, living where the soil is lacking and sticking around until it’s improved. Who knew?
We are encouraged these days to leave our dandelions be until at least the end of May. They are first feeders for the bees, generously providing an abundance of both pollen and nectar. And we want to help the bees! The bees need nectar for energy and honey-making. Pollen is collected for protein and nutrients and mixed with nectar to feed the baby bees. As they dutifully collect their baby food, they help pollinate the flowers so we can have fruits and veggies and seeds for new plants.
Besides, they’re fun…which one of us has not made a hopeful wish on a fluffy dandelion?
Back to the life application regarding my Christian walk.
Are my roots deep and secure, and do I emerge stronger if they are disturbed or even damaged?
Is my life so rooted in Christ that l will not be shaken by life’s trials and tribulations?
The dandelion’s long taproot provides great persistence. We can try to dig the plants up, but they often come back with greater resolve. I want to be like that steadfast dandelion: bursting with purpose and determination. How can I nurture this steadfastness? I must spend time with God, reading His Word, spending time with Him in prayer, meeting with His family of fellow Christians. As I do these things, my faith is cultivated and becomes well-rooted. This well-rooted faith will enable me to stand firm in the face of temptation and troubling situations. In Ephesians 6:10-19, we learn of the importance of putting on the full armour of God every day for this very reason. God reminds me that I will have difficulties in this life, but He is there in the midst of it, holding me up, fighting for me, and redeeming trials by using them to build Christ-like character in me.
Am I useful in the Kingdom work?
Will my presence on earth make a difference in someone’s life?
Dandelions, as I’ve mentioned, actually make improvements when they move in. They loosen compacted soil and draw calcium up from deep in the ground and make it readily available for other plants. The whole plant is edible, packed with vitamins and minerals. The leaves can be used in salads, the flowers in wines and the roots as a coffee substitute. The plant has medicinal properties and can even be used as a dye.
We each have our own gifts and passions and we each have Kingdom work to do using our God-given strengths (and even our weaknesses!). God wants us to be a part of His amazing work–this is a privilege friends! In Ephesians 2:10 we are told, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” God wants us to be a blessing to others in His name: coming alongside others in their struggles, nourishing them with truth and assurance, or just plain making life more beautiful for them.
Am I scattering the seeds of the gospel?
Will my presence on earth have contributed to the furtherance of the Kingdom?
Like one dandelion that releases its miniature parachutes, I can spread the gospel far and wide. We all have connections. We have those living in close proximity, then there are those who live a little farther out, perhaps even on the other side of the world! What if we don’t have relationships around the world? We can still have widespread impact by supporting the Kingdom efforts of missionaries and organizations who reach those far away places.
Please remember that our gospel work comes in many forms. “Some plant, some water and some reap the harvest.” May I suggest that we may also be tillers of the ground (without, of course, implying that we are usurping the Holy Spirit’s work)? We can have a positive or negative impact on those we interact with. One of our mandates as Christians is to imitate Jesus. As He lived among mankind, He demonstrated love and compassion as He shared truth. He met people where they were, tended to their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. Perhaps as we positively reflect Jesus, we help prepare hearts to accept what the sower has to plant.
It could be that you also remember the commercial from the eighties, “you tell two friends and they’ll tell two friends…”
Imagine if we all shared the good news with two people. Imagine if those two people met Jesus today. Then they each shared their experience with two friends, and so on and so on. Wow! Now imagine that you were a dandelion and all of those fluffy seeds of the gospel went out, finding a resting spot in tender hearts. Those seeds grew into deep and steadfast faith and they, in turn, sent out their seeds. That’s revival, friend!
Let’s be dandelions and spread the gospel seeds and see hearts turning to Jesus and His Kingdom expanded to the far reaches of the world!
Looking for more encouragement? Visit:
http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/
https://www.joanneviola.com/2024/04/faultless-to-stand-lets-have-coffee/
https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/how-to-trust-god-in-the-unexpected/
joyintheeveryday.ca 
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