Spanish Moss & Tumbleweeds  

By a matchless parable our Lord taught us that all believers are branches of the Living Vine, and that, apart from Him we are nothing and can do nothing because we have in us no life.  A.T. Pierson

If a spring has not been opened in a soul, a spring of living water from God's own Son, no waters can flow and there is no life in you. G.V. Wigram

When I was growing up in Louisiana we had Spanish moss hanging from our oak trees in the woods and in the yard.  This is an odd plant because it is often called an “air plant” due to the fact that it gets its nutrients from the air.   It depends on the host plant or oak tree to hang onto while it absorbs life giving nutrients.  It grows in humid climates because that is how it gets water to grow.   Spanish moss is also a flowering plant although the flowers are too small to see and it can grow to be 20 feet in length.    

Tumbleweeds have also fascinated me.  They are actually dead but they carry seeds that are dispersed as they tumble along.  They are the opposite of the Spanish moss in that they grow in dry arid climates and they depend on movement whereas the Spanish moss attaches itself to a host plant such as trees.  The problem with tumbleweeds is they absorb a good portion of the water that exists in arid climates which can cause soil erosion. 

The reason I bring this up is it reminds me of the relationship we have with God.  Spanish moss clings to its host plant in order to survive whereas the tumbleweed travels along randomly stopping for a short while until the next wind blows and then it goes on its way.  Our Christian life can be one of the two.  We can cling to our Heavenly Father and get strength from Him or we can tumble along dead to the living water of Christ. I have learned to cling to God through all circumstances.  He is the only One who can save me so instead of tumbling along without a plan I think I will continue to cling to Him with everything in me.    

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, without You I am like the tumbleweed rolling from one place to another until an obstacle comes along.  I depend on You to help me grow so I will cling to You for the Living Water that only You can provide.    

Scripture:   On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.   He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  John 7:37-39