Sometimes everywhere you look is a picture. Whether its in the landscaping, mountain side, aerial showcase, or a symphony of waves crashing the shore, we can see God’s handy work in it.
At times those pictures are the very sight we use to help illustrate a point or two. Lately, I’ve been trying to add them to these letters to enhance the flavor. And today, well it will be an exception as I’m lacking the photograph I desire for this story.
Driving down the divided roadway through an artery of town, the trees are planted in the medium and on the sides of the street. Each one placed at a particular distance from the other. Each one reaching closer to maturity and stretching out across the spans of the lanes. Since it is late Spring the leaves are full of a variety of greens and fill the branches with their warmth and jubilations. Yes, the leaves love to dance! It merely takes a slight breeze and the joy instilled in them comes out in full bloom!
Not to shutter away from the jubilation being expressed by God’s creation, but as I commenced my drive down the canopied roadway, the pavement was pulled back for a moment. The side distractions were gone. It is only the covered archway lining the path before me and it is the making of a river. The blacktop had mysteriously turned to a flowing, tidal pool of water. The trees were deliberately placed as they had bent over the moving river. Yes, the branches were cover in delicate fruit and leaves. I wanted to reach out and snag one!
And just like it came in, it also left. In the blink of an eye it had elapsed back, but only for another moment to come and take its place. It led me back to the world in which we live.
Our lives matter. Your life matters. You and I were created for a particular purpose that only we can fulfill. Its not a lot of hocus pocus, but a fresh visit of the Lord. It’s a connecting to Him through His Spirit that flows out of our bellies (John 7: 38). Yes, it is some deliberate imagery to illustrate how it works. But God reaches out to us and others through it.
Since, we have been created with direct purpose as Paul told the Ephesians in chapter 2 verse 10, we can take comfort that our connection to God is meant to be on display and shared. If we are rooted in Jesus and spring forth His Spirit, then we can celebrate as David did in Psalm 1: 3, “they are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.”
If we, being trees planted by the great river of God each have a stake along the way and find that our duty is to produce fruit as others traverse this river bed in search of God in their lives, we must stay grounded in faith and His Grace. Jeremiah 17: 8 says: “the tree gives lots of fruit, won’t run dry, and can withstand the scorches of the sun.” This attachment to God is often what draws the new believer in and we need to find time to pour our fruit into the people God has entrusted in our care. Just because we aren’t pastors, doesn’t negate our responsibilities as believers. Get some new wine and pour it into a new skin (Mark 2:22).
Todd White comes to mind. If you have ever had the privilege of hearing his testimony and talks, it is quite something. The guy is a love nut for Jesus! But he is also very real… He is called to preach and believe on the one he Loves or who has loved him. He will tell you that many have told him to stop and slow down because he will be drained and burnt out. But his reply is something that always makes me smile, “You didn’t fill me. You can’t empty me.” If we are covered by a canopy of God’s grace, shouldn’t we strive to share that same grace with others? Paul said it this way in Ephesians 4: 7 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. May your fruit be juicy and your salt seasoned. I know this is a bit different, but God is up to something new. Grab on and be ready!
Comments