The windows in my apartment give me a clear view of the heavens, each season bringing a blessing of its own. This time of year, the oaks are beginning to color, and the maple is already a splash of bright red that gives me the joy of expected change.
I moved here in December last year, and the first view was the bare limbs reaching upward, a hundred or so feet into the air, seeming to want something from the Universe with their bare, outstretched limbs. Yet, through all seasons and all changes, the trees reach for the heavens.
We are like those trees. Change happens, and while we expect transition in our lives, when it comes, we do not always understand. Whether it is loss of leaves or new growth—metaphorically—we have questions about the change, and most of the time, the source of reliable information is God.
Be it our God within or without, the Ultimate answer is found in our listening for the answer. We must listen with patience and discernment, both of which take time and practice. That is difficult for many of us who are rushing through our lives. We are used to hitting the “enter” key more than once if our screen does not immediately fill with the information we desire. Or we rush the toaster, pushing the toaster “cancel” button before our bread is toasted!
Psalm 5:3 tells us: in the morning God you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in anticipation.”
The author doesn’t tell us how long to wait, only that s/he waits in anticipation. Oh, if we were as faith-filled and faith-trusting as the scribe, we would surely be open to the answers that come our way. But we must be patient. Then, with discernment, we could understand our path in relation to God rather than in relation to our busy, competitive culture.
The trees reach up to heaven regardless of the season, their limbs seeking understanding and nourishment from the Ultimate Source. Why not us?
See you in church,
Pastor Lillie