At the heart of the forest

Ian El-Paget October 15, 2023 4 1

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Isaiah 55: 12-13 (NRSVA)

12 

For you shall go out in joy,
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

I have a friend who grows pine trees. He collects the cones when they fall and empties the seeds from their spiky container. He then places them somewhere cold, dark and wet, for a month! Why? That is how they germinate.

God’s announcement that the pine tree is going to replace the thorn-bush is God declaring that the season spent in darkness, feeling left out in the cold, in soggy discomfort, has not been wasted. In fact, it was the environment needed to initiate growth, significant growth that will tower above the thorny issues with which you previously contended.

So step out in faith, know that change is coming!

The Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose ways are higher than your ways, has spoken and his word will not return void. Joy and peace are the portion of the one who will adventure into life’s wilds. Let change come to your eyes today, instead of seeing the storm battering both branch and bough, look again and see the trees applauding, cheering you on as you step out in faith. Don’t just look out, go out, in joy and be led forth in peace, you will see creation respond: “Change is here”.

PRAYER:

Lord God, I want to see what you see

actually I want to see how you see.

You have spoken

and in faith I respond

I choose to agree with You

I will go out

and joy and peace will be my portion

Creation, get ready!

change is here!