Jesus Gives Us Strength & Energy to Endure

When I pulled up in the driveway, I felt sad to see our barren tree sitting in the front yard. I always tell people these trees were planted by God because when we bought this house, there we had no trees. For over twenty years, these trees have grown and filled our yard with true beauty. So, to watch their beautiful leaves fall to the ground causes the tree to look barren; naked.

Do you know why trees lose their leaves?

The loss of their leaves is part of a process to help the tree survive the cold, harsh winter. For the leaves, the tree is a water source. Letting the leaves fall to the ground helps the tree conserve water. Not having to produce water to keep the leaves alive helps the tree slow down, become dormant, and conserve energy the winter months.

As I started thinking about how intricately God made the tree and its leaves, I realized we can learn a lot from His creation. To endure this life and its trials, we need nourishment; water from the Living Water.

In John 4, we find Jesus talking to the woman at the well. She is concerned about his physical well-being after He traveled from Judea to Samaria. Jesus reminded the woman that the water she is offering to Him is only temporal, meaning it will not last. He is bold in saying, "Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again" (John 4:18). Jesus is the Living Water we long for. It is only through Him that we have abundant, everlasting light (John 10:10).

The only way to access the Living Water is to slow down and sit at the well with Jesus, like the Samaritan woman. Mary is another good example of how to be still like a dormant tree. When Martha ran around frantically preparing a meal, cleaning the house, making the beds, etc. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to His words of wisdom. Jesus said in Luke 10:41-42, "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-only one indeed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her."

My friend, can I challenge you this holiday season to slow down and learn from the trees? Stop running around serving everyone else and placing your needs on the back burner. Jesus wants to be FIRST in your life. When you learn to slow down in life and seek Him first, everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). Spend time nourishing your soul by reading God's Word and talking to Him in prayer. Then, when the hard times come and you're in the valley, you will have the energy and strength to endure.

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