Life Finds a Way
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Things are the same and stable for Floyd. We continue to lift him up to the Lord in prayer.
This past week I was reminded of a photo my sister-in-law posted on FaceBook recently of an old dead, dried up tree trunk – with a beautiful green tree growing out of the middle of it. You can see it above. She entitled it "life finds a way." It's striking! It's such a vivid reminder that new life, beauty, and amazing things can come from something that seems dead and gone. This new life literally pushed away the old and dead trunk. Nothing could stop its growth!
I love that visual. It's a perfect illustration that in the midst of "deadness" - what has been lost - fresh new life can come. Things may be lost in our lives. Things may seem dead. It may seem like there is no hope. And yet, with God's touch of life - miracles can spring up! I keep trusting for that in a number of areas.
With God - life will always find a way!
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
"Indeed there is hope for a tree. If it's cut down and still sprouting and its shoots don't fail, if its roots age in the ground and its stump dies in the dust, at the scent of water, it will bud and produce sprouts like a plant." Job 14:7-9
Many of us have been going through hard times. Some may feel dead, dried up. But there is life in the midst of hardness! We must keep our eyes on Him, and keep hope alive. Life always finds a way!
One day last week I was having a very challenging day - on just about every level. I was feeling quite overwhelmed. I took time to sit and cry out to the Lord. I cast my burdens on Him. I thanked Him for His goodness to me on this long unexpected journey. I claimed promises in the Word. I spoke out my trust that His grace is sufficient. And I told Him I couldn't make it without Him.
As I prayed, I could almost physically feel the Lord lifting the heavy burdens from my heart. The weight had been so heavy! But God was lifting it from my heart, my mind, my emotions, and my body. By the time I went to bed that evening, my spirit was light! He is truly our burden bearer when we call out to Him.
I wanted to share this testimony to His goodness and faithfulness as an encouragement. I truly believe that when we trust Him, and when we choose to rejoice in hard times - a miracle happens. Our trust and hope lifts us above our circumstances. It releases renewed hope, and joy - even though things might still be difficult. Only God can do that!
Sometimes when we're in a difficult season, we may wonder why God isn't doing something. Why isn't He answering our prayers. A Bible teacher named Ronald Dunn said "God isn't an arsonist. He's a refiner."
We may feel the heat, but we won't be burned up! The testing of our faith, the trials and fires we walk through only "refine" us. God walks right beside us as He works in our lives to refine us and make us more like Him.
"The genuiness of your faith.....though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7
"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." Psalm 42:5
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22
"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
I know I can't make it alone. I'm so grateful God holds my hand, bears my burdens, and walks beside me on the roller coaster of this unexpected journey.