The cycle

Isaiah 55:10-13
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

So here we are in summer.... leaves are full, flowers are blooming, birds have hatched. The atmosphere sings with the voices of new fledglings of all sorts. Spring's gestation is complete, and we are in the midst of nature's cycle of growth and maturation...all part of the cycle of life, growth, yield and death.

This month our gardens are in the phase of production. The gardener's job now is to care for the plants by watering, trimming, and removing anything that cramps their space...what are deemed to be weeds. It is a time of waiting for a bountiful harvest.

Part of the tending of my life, my own faith maturation, is this time of resting in God's Word. I am drawn this morning to the words of Isaiah which speak eloquently of the relationship between God, His Word, and all creation. As the source of love and all that exists, God "speaks" with purpose and specific intention that cannot be fully understood by human minds. However, this lack of understanding can't ultimately impede the cycle which unfolds.

God speaks...through scripture, through creation, through Christ...and God's Word falls upon us and stimulates the cycle of God's intended plan for each of us. Isaiah reminds us of the abundance and joy that is at the root of all that sprouts from God's word sown in the soil of our hearts. Its purpose is fullness. Its effect is a re-establishment of the beauty, harmony and unity with all of that God creates.

We are all together in this cycle...to God's glory...always...all ways!