Let's Rake Leaves!

There's a big beautiful oak tree in our back yard, its boughs heavy-laden with leaves--well, not any more! They're falling--leaf by leaf--and covering the ground, which now cries out, "Residents--RAKE ME!" Now we've got a ready rake and some reliable lawn-and-leaf bags; we've even got an able teen to tackle the job...and we make very good supervisors! Now come on, SOMEBODY, let's rake leaves!

...the leaves of the HEART, that is! You see, far beyond that yard calling for our attention is a back yard that nobody sees--a yard surrounding the home where the King resides--and it's a mess! A yard full of yesterday's leaves never raked--long-held resentments, unforgiveness and pain; strong-holds of the past--sin, sorrow and safely- concealed strife. Not very attractive--but have no fear--the snow will soon cover up the unraked remains--no one will see, no one will ever know you never raked the leaves....

Not true! YOU know it, feel it, and subconsciously project it to those around you, believe it or not! Well, stop it! Get up and go out and rake the leaves! The Holy Spirit is a good supervisor and He will help you do the job! Bag them--and bring them to the Cross--every hurt, misunderstanding, past grievance, long-held bitterness; old, hanging-on hate; every fear, fault and failure. Let each die a proper death--at the Cross.

Then arise with new determination to welcome a new season of your life, one that's alive with the hope of the victorious Lord who lives in your home. One as clean as the white, falling snow soon to appear. He's the manager of the leaf disposal department of your life, and if you'll just bring those bags to Him, you'll begin to live, really live!

Rake it, bag it, bring it to the Lord--and you will have a wonderful day! Now, if you live in a four-seasoned sanctuary, go out and rake those falling leaves in your REAL back yard, ya'll come help me do mine--and then, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Scripture: "...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13,14)."

Prayer: "Lord, my yard's in bad shape; I need Your help. I WILL pick up the rake, begin to gather all the dead "stuff" that needs discarded in my life; I WILL bag it and bring it to You, and by Your grace, begin to live daily a life that pleases and glorifies You, In Jesus' Name, Amen."

[ by Peggie C. Bohanon. Copyright © 2002, Springfield, MO -- {used with permission} ]