 But ultimately, my leaf is clinging in vain. If it makes it to spring a new leaf will push it off – because that is the cycle of life and growth in a tree. And even if it smothered the new leaf, one day, eventually, the tree will die unable to sustain life.
But my clinging is not in vain! My Savior is sustains me without any hope of anything in return. He is unchanging in His perfection. And everyone of His life-giving promises He will keep. One day He will return and give everlasting life to those who trusted in Him. And no-one who clings to Him will be put to shame (Romans 10:11).  In a weird way, the leaf reminded me of this overlook. This overlook is in Texas and commemorates four siblings who lost their lives. How could parents possibly cling to Christ in the midst of such heartrending devastation?
The leaf told me the answer. We abide in Christ in the darkest hours because He has trained us to abided with Him on the sunny days. Day in and day out through smaller crises and lighter assaults we hang on...meaning we trust Him, that His plans are good, His knowledge supreme, and His power perfect. And then when disaster comes, we don't have to do anything different. We just hold on to the One Who is holding on to us.  Stained glass of Jesus with the children, Jesus the Good Shepherd, and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. It is hanging on. One yellow leaf, outside of my office window, clings tenaciously to the dry limb of its tree. And not to state the obvious, but it’s January.
This leaf doesn’t know what Jesus said in John 15:5; “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit for without Me you can do nothing.” The leaf only knows the basics: its life comes from the tree. And so, it has hung on through wind and rain and cold and is still hanging on. I looked at that leaf today and wished I focused on Christ during the hard things with that kind of faithfulness and fortitude. And thought: “If I want to cling to Jesus like that, what is one thing I can do?” Traditionally, cathedrals have been built in the shape of a cross. The National Cathedral follows this tradition. Traditionally, cathedrals have a raised pulpits at the head of the cross. The National Cathedral follows this tradition. And traditionally, only ordained ministers are allowed to speak from the pulpit. On a tour of the National Cathedral, the tour guide told the story of a president who knowing this tradition, chose to speak from a lesser podium. The story stuck with me. Maybe I would have figured that so many other people had already dishonored the pulpit...why shouldn’t I? I am the president and I certainly could do better than them. But the point wasn’t what “everyone else” had done or failed to do. The point was that president had the option to honor himself or to honor God – and chose God. Day in and day out we have similar situations. Honor our parents. Respect marriage. Speak the truth. Treat God’s grace like a gift not a right. We too can choose to lift God high or bolster ourselves. But as Christ said: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11  Isn't it interesting how we celebrate new beginnings? We crave the opportunity to start over, or at least begrudgingly accept the push in the right direction. But there is no greater fresh start than the day we come to know Jesus! May today be a unique opportunity to worship our Lord and Savior as we start off a new year.
O happy day -- when Jesus washed my sins away! |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
January 2026
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