Corona Devo 225
If you live in a deciduous (leaf losing) tree area, then you are noticing some changes. Some colorful, bright, orange-red-gold, exploding leaf changes. It’s gorgeous. It’s normal, and it's a healthy rhythm of a leaf’s seasonal life cycle. It's both beautiful and messy. And it is part of a perfect plan.
As I gazed at the bursts of leaves:, colorful,
clinging, falling, dying, and I mused on the fact that new leaves will bud afresh in a
few months and start the cycle once again, I realized: they are us.
Our faith goes through seasons just like the leaves. We get connected to Christ, accept Him into
our hearts or at some point “get” how much He loves us and what He did for
us. And at this stage we are green. New buds.
Strong, yet naïve in our faith, and starving to grow and mature. We soak up other Christians and God’s word
and the whole idea of being a Christian, and we are excited to grow. We are green leaves for Christ. This happens once, but I think it happens
again and again too. We go through seasons
in our faith, and the green-leaf comes back.
We get re-energized in our faith, or reach a different stage-of-life (or mind) and we walk with fresh vigor on our faith journey. The faith cycle is always in motion, and
getting-green can reoccur (for us as Christians) at any time, and in seasons.
- One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. ~Matthew 2:18-20
- Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. ~I Peter 2:2
- Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. ~Psalm 119:18
The leaves outside grow despite the cold and rain of Spring
and they hit Summer at full stride. They are part of the whole tree in a complete way. We too can mature into this season of our faith-journey at times if
we want. Find a church (critical to
growth), get involved (critical to growth), read the Bible (critical to growth),
establish some authentic relationships
with other Christ-followers seeking to live life His way (critical to growth), and learn to pray (critical to growth). The mixture of these things somehow produces spiritual-strength and growth in us, and a unified connection with the church and with God. Like looking at a big, full, bushy, green-leafed
tree: when we are operating on all cylinders in-step with God’s
practical principals for a Christian life, we feel and are a part of the whole
tree in a complete way.
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ~Acts 2:42
- With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ~Psalm 119:10-11
The weather and temperatures of Fall initiate a new stage for the leaves. There is change. Dramatic and visible. It is beautiful and at times breathtaking. The leaves shine and shout of God's glory and His power over creation. We have these times in our faith-journey's too. And they are brilliant. It can come packaged as a weekend retreat or a weekly Bible study. Or it can be figuring out the gifts God has given you and using them for His glory. That might be a career, learning to embrace and enjoy parenting or just being a good friend to someone. But when we bloom, blossom and explode for Christ it is beautiful and at times breathtaking and it gives us the opportunity and privilege to shine and shout of God's glory and His power over creation. The faith cycle is always in motion, and blooming-in-Christ can reoccur (for us as Christians) at any time, and in seasons.
- Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. ~Isaiah 60:1
- “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:14-16
And then there is dormancy. The leaves fall to the ground. The trees stand bare and there is quiet and no visible growth or change. This season can appear in many ways over our lives: Grief, as in the loss of someone dear to us. Grief as in the loss of a job, a relationship or a dream: none of which seem possible anymore. Loneliness, separation, and even worry and anxiety can place us in this dark, quiet season of our faith journey. We feel dormant. We stand bare and there is quiet and no visible growth or change. The faith cycle is always in motion, and experiencing sorrow or stillness in our faith can reoccur (for us as Christians) at any time, and in seasons.
- "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ~Nehemiah 8:10
- The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. ~Isaiah 40:8
- "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:10
We are not a single leaf as we walk our journey-of-faith through life. We are many leaves in many seasons. If you reflect, you can see yourself in each of these situations, and it's only a matter of time until we cycle through each again.
We are gorgeous. We are normal, and we are a part of God's healthy rhythm of life' spiritual cycles. It's both beautiful and messy. And we are a part of His perfect plan.
Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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