Signs of Life

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3 (New American Standard Bible)

There are many conditional promises in the Word of God. Today’s verse is one of them. There are times when I seek solitude in a beautiful cemetery in our city of Indianapolis called Crown Hill. It is massive with rolling hills and numerous trees. At moments when everything in me seems like it has died, I find this place of burial so similar to how I feel on the inside. I go in hopes that God would once again resurrect in me hope and healing for the journey.

One visit to Crown Hill comes to my mind this morning. As the tears flowed I heard God say to my heart, “Speak to Me. Tell Me what you are thinking and feeling.” When the tears ceased and the lump in my throat diminished I spotted a large tree with absolutely no leaves on it. I felt like that tree; bare, vulnerable, and exposed. I looked around at some other trees. Pine trees that were still green. Large oaks and maples that displayed beautiful fall colors. But the bare tree was my mirror and Psalm 1:3 seemed far removed from my experience.

God quickly assured me the bare tree still had life sap flowing through it. The potential for foliage next spring was still there. Its outward appearance was not the total picture. One woman said it so clearly, “Like a bare tree you may be in the winter of life right now. But God is still working. The sap is still running even when we don’t see it and there is nothing on the limbs.” What I see and feel cannot be my measuring stick for reality. My view and emotions are often skewed and limited. My faith must be in a God who sees clearly and completely the entire sphere of my life.

And yet there are conditions for baring fruit and leaves. The previous verse states those conditions when it says, “His delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night.” Whom I delight in and what I meditate on will make all the difference in the world. It made a difference in the way I left the cemetery and will continue to make a difference in how I live each day.

I have not been to Crown Hill for quite some time now and yet the lessons learned from that former visit is speaking to me once again this morning. God is still working. The “sap” is still running. Potential for growth and change lies within me by His grace.

Father, I no longer fear the times of sadness that come over me. They have become Your invitation for me to meet with You. Be my delight and meditation today. Amen.

You Never Let Go - Matt Redman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIAdgLR1ZGw&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.