Tap Into Him

Written by: Kyla McCormick

A few weeks ago I was out in the woods with our family. It was a snow covered but warm, calm and sunny day for the middle of winter in New York. We make maple syrup and since the weather was beginning to warm up, it was time to tap the trees.

You may or may not know much about the process but in order to obtain the sap to make syrup we have to drill a hole into each tree. This process is called tapping. This allows us direct access to the sap. As the weather warms up the sap begins to flow up from the roots of the trees where it has been stored all winter. It travels up the entire tree to the branches where it will provide what is necessary to create leaves and fruit. Standing in the woods God began to connect how He has created even these simple maple trees to reflect who He is and how He works.

When just looking at the trees you would not be able to see that anything is actually happening within them. There is no indication that the sap is beginning to move and flow. However, the sap is awakening the tree, bringing it back to life, after a season of rest. The first outward sign that this has taken place is when the branches begin to bud. At this point the sap stays in the branches and the sap is no longer good for making syrup. As I was tapping one of the trees, I pulled out the drill and the sap immediately began to flow out. It was so simple and a sure sign that what I believed was happening within the tree, was!

God has given us the gift of His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Once we have received this gift He is there working and moving within us. Romans 8:11 says “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” The Holy Spirit is doing what the sap does for the trees. He brings us back to life! He gives us all we need to live as His children and bear fruit for His kingdom.

However, unlike the tree, we can “tap into” God at anytime. We have been given access to Him through Christ! We have not been left to be bystanders but are called to be active participants, to co-labor with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). In fact, it is His heart that we do so and He invites us into this active relationship with Him. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is our source of everything! He is with us in every season and wants us to take part in what He is doing here and now in the earth.

As wonderful as it was to stand in the woods that day, it was so much more fulfilling to not only enjoy the day but to engage in the work. Are we choosing to wait until we can see what He is doing or has done? Or are we pursuing and following after Him, trusting that He is working even when we cannot fully see it? 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Trust that He knows, already has a plan and in His perfect timing, we will see it. I encourage you to stay connected, to tap into your source of life and continually engage with Him. 

Prayer:
God we thank you for how wonderfully you have created this earth and each of us. You are revealed in all things and we are continually in awe of who you are! We ask that you would increase our faith. That we would not be bystanders in your kingdom but active participants, co-laboring with you. We ask that you would give us an increased desire for you and your Word. For boldness and courage to believe what you say and stand upon it. To go out into the world each day trusting that you are with us, working and moving in might ways! We thank you God that you have given us the gift of your Holy Spirit and that you are always with us. We pray all of this in your name Jesus, amen.

Questions:
1.) Think of a situation in your life that you are currently struggling with. Are you responding in faith and engaging the Lord in the circumstances or waiting until you can see something?

2.) Find a quiet spot to sit and pray with the Lord. Ask Him to show you any area(s) where you no longer engaging with Him. These may be things where you have given up hope or are discouraged because you have not seen any change. Once you have received an answer repent and ask Him to come back into this place. That He would restore your faith in Him to know that He is moving in it. He is so faithful to always answer His children!