Contrast is everywhere, especially where I live in Fremont County, Colorado. On one side of the Arkansas River Valley, paleontologists have spent nearly two centuries uncovering dinosaur fossils including encrusted footprints, fossilized eggs, and the complete skeletal remains of a stegosaurus.
A few miles to the south and east lies some of the most fertile land in the state, where early 19th century settlers planted row crops, hay fields, and apple orchards—some of which still produce today.
The land here is a life metaphor: arid and verdant.
We have all trudged through dry, dessert-like periods, wondering where the water of our faith was. And we’ve relished the cool and restful periods, rich in productivity where the fruit of our labor abounds.
The key is remembering the faithfulness of our Lord: He is with us in both settings. But the miracle comes when He brings life from the wasteland.
This theme plays out in my new release, Romancing the Widow. Martha Hutton believes she will never leave the dry, arid place in which she has found her heart. But God has more for her – just like He does for you and me. That more is life.
I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. –Jesus
See that little word “might”? It implies we have a choice.
What do you choose? Dry fossils of a dead past or the promise of fruitful life in Jesus?
(Colon Orchards – a fourth-generation orchard near Canon City with still-bearing heirloom trees.)
Colon Orchards looks like an amazing place to spend some time.
Yes, Linda – Crunch, juicy, ripe … yum!
I choose a fruitful life in Jesus and some of those honey crisp apples….can’t wait…where are they???
Awesome, Barbara! But it might be fall before those apples are ripe!