There is a tree near the end of a field and the sun sets behind it each night.
There is a rugged path that leads the way, uneven like a jagged spine just like.
There are the lambs and sheep underneath, with their pure white wool.
Everything is pleasant in this field, away from the town and its vibrant pull.

Immediately upon taking this picture I thought that it reminded me of two journeys but the same.

Mark 8:31

 The journey to the cross of calvary is an unsteady and treacherous one. We have to be at our strongest and trust in the Lord with faith that this is the road that He wants us to go. It may have obstacles, large boulders that may be in the way, feel unsurmountable – but really these are just placed there by the devil as nothing can stop us from getting to the cross if we are faithful. If we falter we will not be abandoned but we will be helped. Just like when Jesus showing his humanity faltered carrying the cross to calvary, and there was a helper there to help him get up and carry on with this task – Simon the Cyrene. So God knows when we will falter and to place people in places to help us. Have a strong heart and you will arrive at the tree of our Lord, although it will not be an easy journey – it will be worth it.

Revelation 22:14 

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

The gift that awaits us if we can hold true is truly wondrous. The tree of life that was sealed from us years ago was never meant as a permanent banishment, but through washing our robes, shedding our sin, we can once again, gain access to this tree. But we may be lured away by the towns bright lights, and the towns business. Prayer and reflection are called for to stay strong. This washing of the robes may not be pleasant. Just the other day I had put some rubber coating on the roof and I had managed to get some onto my hands. It took many hours of scrubbing to get this black rubber off my hands and they certainly felt raw afterwards. We have to go through Jesus only to shed this sin, as Jesus’ crucifixion was in place of our sin so that we could attain this hope, this treasure.

I pray Lord God, that you may steady my heart when it stumbles, when it seeks self reward and not to give all the glory to you. I pray that what ever trials you allow me to tread that I walk them with a glad heart and remain joyful and give all the glory to you, for you alone are my Saviour, Lord and God.

Amen