Thursday, April 2, 2015

Budding and Living

Living Lessons: Budding and Living
By: Christopher Wiles

Oh the heights, depths, and riches that exist in the world our Lord created!  We witnessed the wealth of miraculous beauty this past week as we inspected a Japanese maple tree in our front yard. 

I gave of the tree as lost, dead, without a chance of life.  It sat in a bucket unattended in Tennessee for 6 months last year.  It looked withered and hopeless when someone gave it to us in November.  We transported it, planted it, and then watched it be buffeted by snow and wind this long winter. The coming of spring left little hope in me that this tree might survive.  When Ashley recently declared she thought the tree a loss, I was little surprised. 

But wait!  Buds!  Little budding leaflets!   These are what we saw when we took a closer look on Wednesday.  Those little buds are signs that life yet exists in the dry and cracked trunk.  Against all odds, this amazing creation of God's continues to live.  Everywhere we turn we are reminded that God gives life.  

Faith in Christ's Resurrection
Can you imagine the disciples' faces when they first saw Jesus after the empty tomb realizing that there was still life and power in Him? Imagine the joy, the awe, the tears, and the feeling of triumph when they realized that love and life had overcome the seemingly unbeatable death of their precious Rabbi.

I think it very appropriate that the Passover, Easter, and Spring all coincide.  Each event celebrates God's gift of life after what seems like certain death. Each event gives me hope for eternal life as well.  My hope and prayer is that we'll take time to look around this spring and be grateful for God and the life only He gives.  

"You, man of God, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." - from 1 Timothy 6:11-14

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