“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
I’m looking out my window this morning. The trees are barren of all foliage. It’s still wintertime. There’s a tree on which a rather large branch has broken off and
is just hanging onto some much smaller branches. It’s been there a long time. Every morning, I look at it and wonder, When is it going to fall? It just keeps hanging onto those other branches, swaying back and forth in the wind. Even though it’s disconnected, it still appears to be fairly secure hanging there. I’ve tried throwing things at it to bring it down. I never seem to hit the target though. I don’t know why it bothers me so much to see it hanging loose that way. I suppose it’s because it just seems so out of place, like it doesn’t belong there. I guess it will stay that way until gravity overpowers it, bringing it to the ground.
All at once, I’m reminded that when you’ve done absolute- ly all you know to do to stand, you just have to keep standing. Some would say, “Just hang in there.” Others would say, “Just tie a knot in the rope and hold on.” Often, you can “hang in there” much longer than you originally thought you could. Sometimes, when the wind blows and the rain comes down, you will feel as though things are being thrown at you relentlessly. Everything comes at once, trying to shake you out of the “secure” place that may have not been all that good to start with, but at least you thought you could stay there temporar- ily.
In the spring, the beautiful leaves will grow on the tree, and they will once again cover the hanging branch until it won’t even be noticeable. Just as the rest of that tree on which the branch is hanging is very secure and stable, so is our God to whom we cling. He is the strong foundation on which we stand. He covers us with His provision and removes our anxi- ety and fear.
Look around and you’ll see many others“hanging on.” Then, when it’s finally time to let go, we will fall into the arms of a loving, caring, all-sufficient heavenly Father. He’s been standing there all along saying,“Come on, let go. I’ll catch you. I am the softest place to fall. Nothing will get broken. I’ll keep you safe.”
