Heading Home

The year 2011 is over. Kaput. Though some unwanted stragglers roll over into the new year, last year has its headstone in the above image.

How did the year treat you? Did circumstances wear you down? How’s it going so far this year? Do you still have your spiritual edge or did you lose it?

In the Old Testament, the sons of the prophets grew in numbers and needed a larger place to live, so they decided to move beside the Jordan and begged Elisha to go with them.

When they reached their destination, they cut down trees to build their homes. As one man was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead flew off the handle and disappeared into the murky waters.

The man cried out to Elisha, “Oh, sir...it was borrowed!” (2 Kings 6:5b NIV)

Elisha asked, “Where did it fall?” After the man showed Elisha the place, Elisha cut a stick and tossed it into the water as a divine summons to rise again. Immediately, the axhead popped up!

“Grab it,” Elisha said, and the man recovered the sharp axhead.

Were you growing spiritually, but then, something happened and your passion for the Lord diminished? Has your spiritual edge grown dull? Maybe you lost it in the murky waters of life?

The enemy will tell you that your sharp, spiritual edge can never be reclaimed. He will convince you that your dream is gone, your gift is of no use to anyone, your desire has chilled, or your effectiveness is depleted.

Maybe it’s just that the trials of life have pulled you away from the Lord. Maybe your burning passion to serve the Lord has grown cold.

Don’t let the enemy or the difficulties of life keep you from reclaiming your fervor.

Last year’s borrowed edge may not work this year. However, you can recover that keen edge you once had; God can restore it for you. He still sharpens and strengthens His instruments and restores the passion and confidence.

Matthew Henry wrote, “God’s grace can thus raise the stony iron heart which has sunk into the mud of this world, and raise up affections naturally earthly, to things above.”

If you have found yourself amidst those muddy waters, God will raise you up. Scripture says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)

If your edge or passion has dulled, cling to this thought: “He will lift you up, encourage and help you” (James 4:10b TLB), and “make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument.” (Isa. 41:15 Amp)

My prayer for you: May the Lord be your first love, may you regain your spiritual edge, and may you be a sharp instrument in the Lord’s hands.

“Then you send Your Spirit, and new life is bornto replenish all the living of the earth.”(Ps. 104:30 TLB)
It’s here again…the first signs of renewal! Spring is poised, ready to pounce out from behind winter’s shadows.

But before creation blossoms forth with its spring beauty, nature always endures a season of travail. Trees stand lifeless, branches withered and devoid of blooms and fruit, appearing unproductive to all.

The Lord once said to me, “During the long winter months, when nature has seemingly lost all its beauty, life still flows deep within its darkest recesses. The trees appear naked and dead without their leaves and blooms. The ground seems hard and bare without the beauty of flowers and grass. But, in reality, life is ever-present, ever-flowing.

“It flows in the sap that is deep within the trees. It stirs within the seeds of flowers yet to bloom. Both are quietly at work, awaiting their appointed time to be awakened and spring to life.”

When the trees awaken from their seasonal slumber, they arise from darkness and decay to newness of rebirth, as their external starkness is replaced with bursts of beauty.

Spring’s animation then begins. Breezes swirl above the tree tops, tickling the fresh, new buds as they poke their tiny heads into the warmth of the sun. The streams overflow with the fullness of April’s showers and skip over the rocks as if gurgling with laughter, while May flowers crown their banks.

The Lord said, “Sometimes My people must also endure their long, winter months of travail when their fruit seems to have withered and their branches seem bare. But deep within their roots, My Spirit moves with eternal life.

“All may seem dark, lost, and devoid of life and beauty, but, in such a life lived with Me, My work still goes on. Allow My Life to flow through you, especially in the darkest of times, and then you will be renewed.”

Sometimes, swirling seasons of life swoop down upon us through storms of bereavement, affliction, or adversity, which leave us devoid of the blooms and fruit of our lives.

Though spring enters with whirling winds and rain, it still brings a message of hope, of new birth, not only to creation but to us as well. God’s timetable for regeneration is always on schedule for that eternal, divine Sap flows through us and bubbles up with new life at the designated time.

As we wait out those bleak seasons, expecting renewed inner beauty and strength, we can wait with assurance, as Isaiah said, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Is. 40:31 NKJV)

Does your life feel as though all your beautiful leaves have fallen from your limbs? Are the first signs of decay setting in, causing you to feel bare and fruitless? Has your inner strength diminished?

God’s Spirit of regeneration still flows within you. Your time of renewal will come. The Lord said, “All may seem dark, lost, and devoid of life and beauty, but, in such a life lived with Me, My work still goes on...Allow My Life to flow through you, especially in the darkest of times, so then will you be renewed.”

Whether your circumstances swirl around you or lie dormant, your life will again blossom with beauty as the Eternal Sap of Life brings renewal at just the right time.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth.” (Is. 43:19a Amp)



This is part of the Christianwriters.com blog chain for March on the topic of swirling. Check out the other great posts that are listed in the sidebar.