By Pastor Don Schatz

When We Feel Used Up

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“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah 11:1–2.  English Standard Version.

Redwood trees are majestic.  To walk in a redwood forest is to visit the past while living in the present.  Not a few such trees are close to two-thousand years old. They can be scarred and charred from fire, and still survive for centuries.  Out of a stump, new trees can be found sprouting.  New life even triumphs out of the charred remains.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the promised Messiah.  You know his name.  Jesus.  Other prophets joined Isaiah in holding up the hope of Messiah’s coming.  God’s ancient people, beset by troubles, calamities and devasation, even by fire, would still sprout a new shoot from the stump.  Jesus, Messiah, and through Jesus, us.  We are the people of life, ever-new life.

When, if, life and its troubles make you feel burned up, charred and scarred, trust the promise of a new shoot of life springing out of God’s love for you in Christ.  He has not forsaken you.  He looked, and planted himself in your life so that when such realities might claim you, you would already be rooted in the Christ-life.  The Lord will not fail you.  He did not fail you when it meant that his life should be sacrificed on the cross for humankind.  Christ’s love will not fail you now.

Look around you at the spring-time green of new life to trees and plants.  Be reminded of Isaiah’s words.  The promise of ever-new life in Christ.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado