6 SEPTEMBER

FLOWERS ON DEAD BRANCHES

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26, NKJV)

Many years ago, I was in London, just recovering from challenging blood pressure spikes. I usually laid down on the couch close to the window, so I could look out but all I could see were trees which were dried up with no leaves. So, I read or wrote, keeping myself fully occupied.

Interestingly, these were the same trees I used to admire a few months back, while analysing the wonders of creation in their beauty. Only two of the many trees on the path I could see still had some leaves. The most beautiful trees had no more leaves; looking lifeless. Apparently, it was the season for them to shed their leaves: a season of rebuilding, restructuring, re–energising.

One morning, as I relaxed on the couch, something unusual caught my attention: huge bunches of white flowers on the dead–looking trees! Day after day, I watched the trees get stronger, bigger and more beautiful, showing forth greater wonders of God’s creation. The season had changed. In their season, as they swayed to the rhythms of the wind, they bring forth the desired coolness. They give protection from the rays of the sun and the slight drizzles of the rain.

As we pass through our seasons of dryness and challenges that sometimes make us look lifeless, we need to spend time with the Lord for rebuilding, restructuring and re–energising to gain new life, new zeal, new hope, new assignment and new purpose. “What of the ones that did not shed their leaves?” I seemed to hear the Lord ask. They are shrubs, which remain the same–no challenges and no dryness–and so no increase, no change in beauty or strength. They have their beauty but God’s glory is declared by the others much more.

ACTION: Smile with the assurance that your seasons of dryness are temporary. Soon, you will blossom out again!

PRAYER: Father God, please grant me grace to rejoice, even during trials, knowing that the testing of my faith produces patience and that you know the way that

I take. When you have tested me, I shall come forth as gold and result in praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.