Hey Church! The first few newsletters of the year will feature reflections from members of the COTC community. There is much to lament about 2020, but because God is faithful and all God’s dealings with us are for our good, we can enter 2021 with gratitude and hope. I pray this reflection by Lisa Van Allen on the power of God’s Word is as inspiring for you as it was for me. Nick

I love this quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
 

“Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God,

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”

One of the things I’m most grateful for last year is all the time we spent outside, hiking, exploring, playing, and even just hanging out with friends in our backyard.  It has been so life-giving to be outside, like a breath of fresh air, bringing restoration to my spirit. One of my favorite places to think and pray is by a river with cypress trees. The towering trees are so tall and impressive, and the huge roots are visible drinking deep from the source of life.   

It reminds me of the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man…whose heart turns away from the Lord…he is like a shrub in the desert… Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, he is like a tree planted by streams of water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes for its leaves remain green and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5-8)  

The stark contrast of those two images gives us such a clear picture of living the good life that the Lord wants for us. He wants us to spend time in His word, drinking deeply of Him, soaking up the wisdom in His Word. And if we are able to do that we won’t have to fear a year of drought like 2020 has been. We can remain rooted in the Word and abide in His love, and we will continue to bear fruit.  

Psalm 1 in the Message says, “You thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” My hope for the new year is that I/we would be like trees on the banks of the Comal River, with huge roots soaking up the water, spending time in the Scriptures, letting Him fill us with wisdom, joy, gratitude, and hope in the Lord, no matter what is in store for us this year, feast or famine.

Lisa