Autumn Leaves and Bankrupt Lives
The putting together of light, or photosynthesis, is a wondrous process! Leaves are nature’s food factories, taking in water and nutrients via the tree’s root system, absorbing a gas called carbon dioxide from the air, adding in sunshine and the chemical chlorophyll, and through a wonder of creation far beyond my comprehension, produces oxygen and glucose, or sugar. The leaves use that glucose for energy, as building blocks for growth. When summer reluctantly surrenders to autumn, those shorter days do not provide enough light to sustain photosynthesis, forcing the tree to temporarily shut down those tiny food-making factories. The green chlorophyll fades, exposing the bright reds, purples, and yellows that form the stunning fall tapestry that we all enjoy this time of year. If God can do all of that within a leaf, imagine what He can accomplish within a life.
Jesus was on a mission, He “must needs go through Samaria.” Unbelievable? The holy King of kings would travel through Samaria, the homeland of the despised Samaritans? These Samaritans were a mixed race of people, birthed from the intermarriage of Abraham’s holy seed and the heathen Assyrian colonists sent there to repopulate the area centuries prior. The Samaritans, shunned by the fiercely national Jews, formed their own distinct national and religious identity, complete with their own holy mountain, sacred writings, and system of worship. Their homeland was considered WAY off limits to any devout Jew, and the people dwelling there, WAY beyond the reach of Messiah God and eternal life. But Jesus purposely chose this route to keep a divine appointment. Change was a-coming!
Jesus found the worst of the worst at Jacob’s well, a source of life-sustaining water located outside the small village of Sychar. Here He would meet an unnamed woman, considered unredeemable even by her own countrymen, those shunned Samaritans who were hated by the Jews. This sinful woman was seemingly far beyond lost. And she was also alone, since no honorable woman would be seen in the company of someone so deeply entrenched in her blatantly immoral lifestyle. But the Messiah saw past the surface and lovingly reached deep into her soul, exposing her need and offering her His “living water.” He alone was capable of crafting an awesome change in her. Through a miraculous chain of events, this woman recognized her need, repented of her sin, and received her Messiah. Then in her excitement, she “left her waterpot, and went her way into the city,” and shared the life-changing message that was offered to her to her fellow townspeople…“And many more believed…” The beauty of autumn had come to Sychar!
God loves us in spite of our bankrupt lives, and just as He miraculously changes the color of a leaf in the stillness of autumn, He can change the trajectory of a life in the quietness of His grace. Trust Him today and let Him transform YOUR life into a beautiful tapestry by way of His Light! And if you are already in His eternal family through faith in His finished work, look out the window today at those stunning leaves of autumn, and whisper a solemn Thank You to the One who has accomplished that wondrous change in you.
Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
*This story is located in John, Chapter 4, if you are interested in reading the entire passage. It’s a great one!
Thank You, Lord, for the glorious change we can experience at the cross of Calvary! Thank You for seeking us, saving us, and changing us. What a wondrous act of grace!
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Cathy, you have a wonderful way with words, and your insight is deep. Thanks so much for all your efforts in posting your “gleanings”! I am blessed to have sung beside you in choir, and am more blessed to have reconnected with you, and even MORE blessed to call you my forever friend! Have a wonderful day! <3
I feel EXACTLY the same way about you…who would have known that we would still be enjoying each other’s company after all these years…and we can share that for eternity!