It’s been only a few weeks since everyone was exclaiming over the beautiful reds, yellows, oranges and golds of the trees in our yards, along our streets and throughout the countryside. But now the trees are bare, and the change seems to have taken place overnight. Dry and brown, these end-of-autumn stragglers cover our yards, parks, and just about any space where the wind can blow them around. One of those blustery days, as clouds of leaves were swirling about, my daughter commented to me that she wondered at those that were clinging to the branches, while others were falling. Did they have a greater amount of whatever it is that attaches them to the twigs? It was a little too fanciful to give the leaves qualities of determination or just stubbornness. But I couldn’t help but think there was something parable-like in what we were observing.
We’ve all known people who are exceptional in their personal strength, and who have the ability to weather the storms of life that might send another person into a tailspin. And haven’t you wondered how you would face a devastating experience? Although everyone copes in his or her own way, as Christians, we have the comforting knowledge that we can call on God, asking him to give us the strength we need in all circumstances. That assurance, that promise, that knowledge, keeps the Christian from falling to the ground and being blown about by the winds of change and uncertainty. We are firmly attached to our tree, not because of our own determination or stubbornness, but because God gives us that something extra and protects in his loving care. We are able to hang in there, because God is hanging on to us!
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, gave the new churches these words of assurance as they struggled to establish their communities of faith in spite of danger and persecution:
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers