I’ve been watching as leaves accumulate in my yard. At first there were just a few, but as it’s gotten colder there are many more. The wind picked up recently and now my yard is covered with a thick, brown layer that will damage my lawn, if left there.
Those leaves were a welcome sight last spring, as the weather warmed up. During hot summer days, the lush green leaves covered the tree and shaded us from the heat. Trees are highly valued in South Texas, because of the relief they provide. During that time the supple green leaves hung tightly on the tree and provided some protection from the wind and rain. They even took the brunt of a hailstorm. As the days became cooler, those leaves changed to beautiful colors and let us know winter was coming. Then the leaves began to fall. A few leaves fell at first and then in unbelievable numbers. My lawnmower tidied up the mess for a while, but now there are too many for it to handle. I will eventually have to rake them into piles and stuff them into bags so they can be taken away with the trash.
How could the leaves we valued so much last summer become harmful trash that needed to be removed? While they were attached to the tree, they were living, growing and strong. They could withstand storms and provided shade and protection. They took in life-giving sunlight that made the tree grow. When they stopped getting nourishment from the tree, they died, fell to the ground, dried up and began to fall apart. The rain and sunlight that once gave them life now hastened their decay. The lawn they once protected from the heat would soon die if the dead leaves weren’t removed.
That is much like us when we are separated from our source of life and strength. JESUS said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5 KJV). Abide means to live with, so you need to live with JESUS to be productive. Get to know Him and His will. He is the source of your life and strength, and you must stay connected. In fact, you can’t live without Him.
JESUS also said this, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6 KJV). When you stop abiding in Him, you will dry up, wither, and die. Others may be attracted to the change in you at first, but it won’t last long. What once made you grow, now hastens your decay. The storms and heat you used to withstand and protect others from will destroy you. Many are falling just like you, but that only adds to your problems. If left to rot, you will hurt others. It is better for everyone (but you) if you are taken away.
Unlike leaves, we have a loving GOD who is longing to connect (or reconnect) with us. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Why not repent and accept (or return to) JESUS before it is too late. You don’t want to be “cast into the fire” with the rest of the fallen.
Wayne Lance – That’s Good News to Share!