Think for a minute about a wet pile of leaves. Even without the changing leaves of fall to guide me, we have plenty of fallen leaves here in Jamaica. And lately, plenty of wet ones.
Can you light that wet pile on fire? Burn up a soaking wet pile of leaves? Most likely, smartly, you wouldn’t even try. If you were ambitious or once a Boy Scout you might try anyway—even adding a dryer sheet, some lint, cardboard, paper and a good strong lighter . . . maybe even some kerosene which might do the trick. But still, until you get some dry leaves, at least through part of the pile, you’re not going to easily make any kind of heated fire.
Spiritually, I think we are all called to be wet leaves.
Hang with me.
Leaves are piled up to not only get them out of the way (or for jumping piles) but often to create a mulch pile which can then move on and fertilize future crops and the like. Once piled leaves can either be left to decompose with a purpose or they can be burned and removed out of the way. A pile of leaves that constantly gets wet will decompose faster and is least likely to be lit by a destructive fire. Likewise, all it takes in a dry pile of leaves is a single flame to catch a few leaves which then set the rest aflame. Damp leaves don’t stand a chance when in a mess of dry leaves caught to the flame. With time, the heat of the blaze will dry them out too and they’ll be destroyed.
God often calls us to a place, together with other people who have the same calling—leaves or not--in order to serve His purpose and plan in the space of life given to each us on this earth. Every single one of us is born in sin. By the grace and love of God we are saved, yes, but we must constantly drink and be filled up by His living water. If we don’t, we will dry out under the weight of this world, under the heat of schedules and relationships, under pressures of success, needs, and work to do. Satan wants to light the fire, and he’ll use every trick, lint wad, and dryer sheet that he can. Once lit, all he has to do is sit back and watch as our dry human nature tears us apart. The fire works out his purpose quite readily, burning up or damply slowing down what has been brought together and building for God’s glory and future kingdom.
Water is a ready adversary to a roaring fire, used to contain and put out fires worldwide. Once we are burning, just as in a blazing leaf pile, we have to rely on His living water to put out the flames and use us anew. Even if it’s taking the ashes, instead of mulch, from what was once a pile and using them to fertilize future crops.
Life isn’t always as easily described as a leaf pile (or as cheesy) but today, it seemed to fit.
Right now, I feel a lot of heat surrounding me. I am a part of it, no doubt. In the past months, unconsciously or not, I’ve let myself get burned and dry in too many ways and today God’s work in Ridge, Jamaica is taking the hit. It started in relationships with each other, going deep and spilling over. Little things like crashing computers, rain, mice, swollen slamming doors, canceled classes, internet outages, etc combined with our own human nature seem to keep spurring it on, all too often drying up whatever wetness we throw on it.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
Following Christ is not supposed to be easy. There are days here where I cry out that I didn’t know it could be so hard, hurt so much, that it would be so hot or that I’d be burned. Yet out of this, I am becoming stronger in Him and learning more of His grace and love. I'm having to break my stubborn independence to become wholly dependent on our Lord. One day at a time. I must stand up, filling up on Him, stepping out in faith, prayer, mercy, and most of all love. Letting go. Forgiving. Moving forward. I can’t be responsible for the actions of others, but for my own with the hope of overflowing. Love God and love people. The greatest calling. Easier said than done! I find comfort in knowing His living water will always be victorious in a battle of the flesh and satan’s flames.
We will stand firm, united under Him. Someday, when I tell you the story of how everything was healed and show you where it’s all led, you and I both will be awed at the awesome power of God. Glory be to His name!
So, how’s your leaf? Is it drenched in water or drying out?
Let those waters overflow. . . Come to Him.
“Be on your guard, STAND FIRM in the FAITH; be men of COURAGE, be strong. DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
