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“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 ESV)

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Release and Receive

by Macy Johnson

“He answered, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.’”
(2 Samuel 12:22-23 NIV)

David released his son to God so he could one day receive him again in heaven.

Through my window the last of the summer leaves precariously hang on our black oak trees. The wind furiously batters and shakes them in the sun, while the sturdy oak tries to hold on to its vegetation longer than other trees. I wonder when new growth will eventually shove off its lingering leaves.

There is no end to nature’s cycle. Trees’ leaves emerge in spring to wake them up and wither in autumn when the trees need to sleep. Life pushes and pulls from every direction, continually releasing and receiving.

Dead leaves in our yard migrate to the compost bin with my husband’s assistance. They provide much-needed carbon which promotes decay of discarded, organic materials. My Master Composter husband says, “Dead leaves are God’s gifts every fall.”

I recently read an article associating compost bins with human relationships. The author proposed we discard remains of dead relationships into a virtual compost bin, out of sight, out of mind. But sometimes castoffs need to be revived.

Jesus catches all of our releases, our rejects! Go ahead and drop the dead leaves you’re clutching like a black oak tree and receive new life through Christ. He will secure the dead and infuse it with life before restoring it to you.

I surrender my beating, selfish heart today into God’s loving hands and receive His heart in return. I hope you will, too!

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