"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Rev. 22:1-2 NKJV
This is the end of a year, the end of the story. I'm looking forward to starting at the beginning tomorrow with the New Year. It's clear that the story is just like its creator who has no beginning and no end, who was, and is, and is to come. The story ends right back where it began...with a tree. However this time, the tree is not of the 'knowledge of good and evil', but the tree of life. It's so simple to accept, but so difficult to understand. When we throw away any hopes of our having the answer, we receive the gift of life.
I end this year with the same words that end the last book of the Bible, the words that echo in my heart and bring me to the New Year with a yearning for the only thing that satisfies. "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17
