Growing branches in a new year
December 7, 2020 | Emily Elmore
About the author: Emily Elmore and her husband Ryan are members of ZPC. They have three boys, ages 6, 4, and 2, that keep them on their toes.
This week's scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
To be completely honest, my gut reaction to Jerry’s 40-day 15-minute challenge was filled with doubt. Can I actually commit to this? 15 minutes a day?
And I wrestled with God about this; I even tried to compromise.
15 minutes? How about 5? Sometimes I have 3 minutes between meetings and changing diapers. Is that sufficient? I’m just going to fail so I don’t want to start. And, I really NEED to finish Season Four of The Crown.
About the same time this challenge started, my book club started reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by Portland, Oregon pastor John Mark Comer. John spends a lot of time talking about distractions in our modern world and the importance of emotional and spiritual health. In short, he says, “if you don’t set aside time to be alone with God, your relationship will wither on the vine.”
Ok, God. Message received.
This wrestling with God has continued, and I think that’s the point. I’m learning more about our need as humans to hurry and why we – why I – am not very good at slowing down and sitting still. It’s led to good conversations with my family and friends, and has kept me intentional and in dialogue with God. Especially during a most difficult year. And what I’m learning is that it takes practice to sit with God, but is oh so fruitful.
For today’s passage, Isaiah 11:1-10, Isaiah speaks of a ruler who would be the descendant of Jesse. I had to dig a little, but I learned that Jesse was the father of King David and the family line to Jesus. We’re told that new life will be made from an injured stump. The stump and the new branch reveal new life, hope, and peace – all gifts from our savior.
There’s a lot to digest in this passage, but what I am leaving with today is this – God takes our worries and trials – our injured stumps – and grows new branches to be used for good. Perhaps that’s what 2020 is all about.
I wish you peace and the ability to slow down this season.