There’s a tree lined development on the way to our home. Every time I ride by it, I’m curious. Anywhere from 8-10 trees line each side of the paved entrance to that development. When the leaves change this time of year, they really are quite beautiful. The thing that interests me about these trees is that even though they are all the same species, all the same age, all planted at the same time, and all are exposed to the same growing conditions – same rain, same sunshine, same wind, they’re all very different. Check them out. Their leaves run the spectrum from a few browns to plentiful robust green to glowing reds. They range in appearance from lifeless to vibrant.
It made me think – isn’t that how we people are too? I don’t know about you, but there are times I’ve felt spiritually lifeless, spiritually robust and spiritually glowing – sometimes all in the same day, or even the same minute. Now I’m not a treeologist, but it was so odd to me that each of these trees had the exact same growing conditions yet appear so different. Why is that? I’m not sure, but it would seem to me that if they all had the same water, sun, wind, if they all faced the same living conditions, it would have to be something happening, or not happening in the trunk, you know, the heart of the tree – the foundation. How did the tree use internally the provisions of nourishment to give it life? Could it be the outer appearance changes are a result of how the inner tree used its provisions? It stands to reason.
And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world. John 6:33
Why are we sometimes brown with very few leaves and at other times robust and glowing? Could our appearance change have something to do with our trunk, our foundation, our heart? Could it be that there’s something in our trunk that doesn’t allow us to lap up the Living Water? Could it be that we don’t take in the nourishment of the Bread of Life? It could be all of the above.
But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. John 14:26
We are reminded of where our Help comes from. We are reminded that there is Someone who was sent by the Lord to teach us how to lap up the Living Water and feast on the Bread of Life. We are reminded that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.