As we approach the end of June, I am surprised to see along the path green leaves that have already fallen from the trees. There is always some damage when storms blow through with pelting rain, but it surprises me to see green leaves. The storms normally knock off already aged or dead leaves. We do not know what the lifespan of a leaf is, but we can guess based on the seasons. The majority last six to eight months, depending on storms, rain, temperature, and other factors such as drought or simply what part of the country you live in. The appearance of green leaves on my path made me wonder why they didn’t hold tightly to the stem for the entire season.
Scripture gives us many parables that speak to why seeds don’t make it through an entire lifecycle. We know seeds dropped on the path where weeds grow up and choke them don’t flourish. The weeds are the cares of the world, and if I had to guess, probably all the cultural clutter we admit into our lives that chokes out the nourishment of the Lord.
Likewise, seeds that find soil may sprout up immediately but wither with intense heat, as their roots are not deep enough to get the water they need. A person may intellectually know Christ died for their sins but do nothing to build a personal relationship with Him. When heat or storms come, that seedling cannot survive, as it didn’t develop strong roots.
Our walk with the Lord can be like these seeds. But I think there is something else that the Lord wants us to do—hold tightly to His hand every day. He is definitely holding on to us. We know he told Joshua, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (1)
But how about if we forsake Him? Does He still hold on to us? I believe He does, giving us a long leash. Just look at the book of Hosea, or the life of King David. But I also believe if we continually shake a fist in His face in rebellion or want a god that puts no demands on us, He may give us what we want. No God. He stays near even when we let go because He wants everyone to be saved. But people who are deliberate and defiant in rejecting Him soon find their hearts become hardened. At some point, they may not come back to Him. Scripture tells us that the Lord takes no delight in the death of the wicked. Rather, I think He is sad.
When we do that, we are like the green leaves that fall from the tree too early in the season. We lose our stable position, our ability to survive the storms of life. We separate ourselves from our source of nourishment. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (2) We have free will to decide how we will live our life as a branch on that vine. God’s plan is for us to grasp His hand and never let go. He never leaves us. But if we pull away, we have no source of help but ourselves. Nor are we fruitful, as we have put aside all the good works He planned ahead of time for us to walk in. The choice is ours to make every day. He wants us to choose Him.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
- Joshua 1:5 NIV
- John 15:5 ESV
