Reaching for the Light

When we moved into this house many years ago, we planted two peach trees on the south side, between us and the neighbor. They were out of sight and easily forgotten. At first the trees did fine, but after some years, the neighbor's hedge and tree got big and the fruit trees began to suffer. One tree died, but the one closest to the back yard, reached over to wrap itself around the corner of the house toward the back yard, facing west.  I never would have imagined peaches hanging right outside my kitchen window, but there they are!

Looking at it again, I came to realize how I've been surprised. When it's partner tree died, I thought this one would go as well, but access to light has proven otherwise. In the right conditions, it is the light of the sun that has allowed it to produce the energy needed to continue to bear fruit . . . a truth so easily carried over to the spiritual realm.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me . . . shall have the light of life." and "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself . . . neither can you." The fact that Jesus calls himself the Light becomes meaningful when I see this kind of an example in my back yard. And I pray that His life-giving power be evidenced in our lives as we reach for Him.