So, day 2 on ‘the leaves are for the healing of the nations.’From an arts major, not a scientist.
I have learned today that plants put an equivalent amount of
oxygen into the atmosphere to the CO2 they take out. And they put an equivalent
amount of CO2 into the atmosphere as the oxygen they take out.
Because they take in a greater amount of CO2 every day than
oxygen, the net result is that plants put oxygen into the atmosphere. They
counteract some of the harm we do with all of our CO2 emissions.
No wonder tree planting is a good idea. And jungle burning
is atrocious for many reasons.
So I can see that the rather humble leaf is critical for
maintaining the atmosphere in which we live. But how does this equate to
healing the nations, as the Bible asserts in Ezekiel?
I am thinking in terms of absorbing what is harmful and
emitting what is good. And remember, these leaves are connected to plants which
are positioned by a river of living, fresh water (Jesus is the source of such living water.). The plants (Christians)
produce fruit (by the power of the Holy Spirit) which feeds those who are
hungry spiritually. And they have leaves which absorb what is harmful and emit
what is good, thus changing the atmosphere of any situation encountered.
Jesus said to love our enemies; not to return like for like
but to forgive, to turn the other cheek, to go out of our way to serve even
those who are ‘enemies’. By doing so, we absorb what is evil, and by the power
of the Holy Spirit it is changed.
If someone gives offense, I choose not to be offended. If
someone insults me, I choose not to be insulted. I choose to return good for
evil, changing the atmosphere and in my every encounter endeavouring to change
the world.
The nations are in turmoil and violence, murder and mayhem
pervade our news media. I choose to take that in and emit peace. In my one
small corner, I choose to change the atmosphere from one of anger and violence
to one of peace.
It may not change many nations, but it is a start.
