At the beginning of this year, one of my family members went through a very rough period. This also affected me as I hurt deeply when my loved ones are hurting.
During that time, I knew I needed to be alone with God and just bask in his beauty to try and cope with what was happening…..I think I am just now coming into a place in my walk with God where I know that life isn’t going to be perfect until I get to heaven. I think we spend so much time trying to make it perfect, rather than just accepting God’s “perfect” will.
Because, at the end of the day…ALL things work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to His purpose…Romans 8:28
That being said, at that time I was trying to hear Him through the pain…
I went to the Botanic Gardens, walked around and sat on the edge of a brook. I saw the breathtaking leaves falling from the trees and landing in the stream. Take a moment to watch the video, you can even fast forward to 1:37 and you’ll see the stream flowing, which is what I’m going to talk about.
If you watch carefully, you will see tiny leaves flowing downstream with a gentle ease. There are tons of rust colored petals from the trees in the peaceful river, but I wanted to point something out.
When I was sitting there, I noticed that only a few of the leaves made it downstream and kept on flowing gracefully through the waters. Some of the leaves are lodged up on the sides of the small brook…..
I think this is how our walk is sometimes with God and throughout life. Just like the leaves falling, we are sent down to earth by our heavenly Father. We flow along gracefully when we just rest in the Lord, and stay near the flowing water. But there are obstacles in our way, like twigs and branches. Those are life’s problems and tragedies that arise, and sometimes we get stuck.
There are also clusters of leaves that get stuck together. I feel this represents the influence that the wrong crowd can have on us. We get “caught up” in an unhealthy group of people that hinder our walk with the Lord, and thus our “flow” in the river of life.
It is not that the “leaves” who make it downstream don’t have the same problems on their journey, its just that they work through the obstacles. You see, they ride the “current”, which is the Holy Spirit, who helps us through our issues. The current is powered by “living water”, which is WHO JESUS IS. Meditating on scripture, praying, and worship also help us have more of the Holy Spirit’s power.
So what kind of leaf are you? I encourage you, please don’t get stuck with your struggles or caught up with people you know are not going to help you move forward with God. Be the tiny, but FIERCE & carefree leaf who stays close to the ALMIGHTY LIVING WATER and you’ll reach the ocean one day….
~Happy Reading my friends!