Dandelions

While North America has some native dandelion species, the dandelions that we see dotting lawns, pastures, roadsides, orchards, and almost every other place this time of year are escapees from the herb gardens of the early colonists who brought them from the Old World. The early colonists had many uses for the dandelion—medicinal, culinary, and as a source of two natural dyes. It is only in the last century that the dandelion became the bane of homeowners who want what is in their eyes an unblemished green lawn.

I loved dandelions as a boy, and I love them still. I love their bright yellow flowers and their downy clocks. On a breezy day dandelion seeds at the end of their gossamer-thin white threads can travel quite a distance.

A few dandelion plants with their airborne seeds can populate a whole neighborhood. This is why I believe that they are perfect choice to illustrate how followers of Jesus should be reproducing themselves. They should be spreading like dandelions spread—everywhere. The dandelion clock is an ideal symbol for Methodists on mission, indeed for all Christians on mission.

As well as ubiquitous, dandelions are also lowly and humble—something that followers of Jesus should be too.  We should be careful to avoid the impression that Christians are attention seekers bent on promoting themselves and not pointing non-believers to Jesus.

I also don’t believe that stridently proclaiming on social media on the internet to what we are opposed and perpetuating false narratives advance the gospel or help our image. Those who use them may find such in-your-face tactics satisfying but the only thing that they accomplish is to alienate people who might be open to the good news of Jesus. Pressuring or tricking someone into making a declaration of faith in Jesus will not save them. Such a declaration must come from the heart, a heart that is experiencing the transforming power of God.

It is God’s grace and the Holy Spirit working in the heart of the non-believer that will bring them to a living faith in Jesus. A living faith is a faith that manifests itself in actions, not just words. It is a faith that expresses itself in deeds of love and mercy.

Like the dandelion we must have a long root. The dandelion’s root draws water and sustenance from the earth surrounding it. We must be rooted in God’s Word, very strong and firmly fixed in its principles and truths.

Dandelions are also resilient. They spring back up again despite the efforts of homeowners to eradicate them. Followers of Jesus need to be resilient too, regaining their feet after they suffer a setback.

Dandelions have many other good qualities from which we can learn. One of their best qualities is their ability to propagate quickly. They can grow in places where other plants cannot grow. If they get enough water, they can grow in a crack in concrete, forcing the crack wider.

Maybe one of the reasons that God made dandelions so common is as a lesson to us. We find many lessons in nature from which we can benefit. I do not believe that we will go wrong if we emulate the dandelion as Jesus’ disciples.