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2000
UNDER THE APPLE TREE
Frederick Buechner tells of one
day going out into an apple orchard setting under a tree and asking God to
in some way reveal himself. He sat and waited and waited. Nothing
happened. All he wanted was some little sign. After an hour he quit his
vigil and somewhat discouraged, but wiser, he returned to the house.
I think we have all sought such
assurance and been similarly disappointed when God did not appear or give
us a sign as we had hoped.
But does this mean there are
never such moments? My answer is no and I can testify to such times in my
life when I knew that things that happened were moments of epiphany in
which in a special way God was present to me. Mostly they have come in
times of exceptional need. Sometimes they have come as answered prayer but
other times they have come without my praying.
They do happen but they cannot
be commanded.
Instead what we must do is
cultivate a receptively to the movement of God's Spirit in our lives. We
must be ready. We must be open. We must be awake to God's appearing in our
lives.
And it just might begin by
sitting out under an apple tree. Instead of commanding God's appearance,
however, maybe the better thing to do would be to become truly aware of
the life around us. Watch the clouds above as they move across the sky.
See the landscape. Wonder at these fruit bearing trees. Run your hand
along the grass. If you have brought a book with you let the hour pass by
reading it.
Then when it is time to return
to the house thank God for these quiet moments you have had.
Maybe that is all God wants for
you at that time, a better acquaintance with what is always there, the
blessing of the ordinary.
Then, when you need it, God will
be present in more special ways.
When those times happen you will
be prone to want them never to cease. So real will these moments be to you
that you will say, God, why can't it be this way all the time? Why can't I
know you or see your signs as I do now all the time?
I am not sure what God might
answer back.
It might be he would mildly
reprimand us saying, "Sometimes your seeking for a sign is almost
like making me a god on command. I am not a puppet, nor do I treat you
like a puppet. I am your God."
Or it might be God would say to
us, "You are able, you are capable. No sign required at this time.
Instead, see what is already there. Enjoy the grace that is universal.
Walk with me. Talk with me in ordinary time. I will give the special
moments but do not think I am not with you in all moments. Learn to be
with Me when you sit under the apple tree and there is no special feeling.
Abide with me."
Dr. David W. Andersen
        
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