When A Tree Grows...

When a tree grows in the wild, it is held by nothing but the space around it

If the space around is densely overgrown

it may not live to see the sun with its crown held high

If the space around is vast and wide the wind will reshape

the growing trunk into a crooked stem, aging it before its time

when u grow up in the wild, circumstances shape the way u are

when a tree grows under God's care, the space it grows in is made safe

the strong stake that is driven into the ground along the side of the young stem

that the tree is being tied to, is giving it direction and support

when u grow up in God's care the foundation and structure that

u r given, shapes the strength that u can be

when a tree is cared for and raised to become tall and strong

it needs insight and knowledge on the caretakers hand to remove the spike at the right time

If it is removed too early the winds play with the young tree and deform it to their will

if it is left too long the rope that bonds it to the tree will grow into the bark

becoming ever impossible to be removed

however

The forester (GOD) knows just the right point in time for letting go of the restraint

the tree will grow tall and strong and will be free to challenge it’s surroundings

when you are cared for and raised to become free the time of letting go is not by chance

and your freedom is strength that grows within

God says "I am the true vine and and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15 1-5

I hope this makes sense, the tree is you and me. As I grow stronger every day in my relationship with God, I am challenged with my surroundings... co-workers, neighbors, people I meet every day. There are many people I meet that are growing wild, and the winds
are wearing on them, beating them down. I am to be Jesus to them, show them, in my actions, speak it with my words, show them compassion, mercy, and love them where they are.

As christians, its easy to hang around other christians, they talk, walk and act like we do, but the challenge is to hang out with sinners, Jesus did. God has shown me in my quiet time with him this week that I am not be afraid of what people think, say or do, that do not understand. God has called me to be a light in the darkness, thats where I will shine the brightest, not in the light.

I excepted His challenge this week and had dinner with a few friends that had invited me out for a get together, I must say I knew what that meant and went anyway, I had a good time, had a glass of wine and sat and listened. Before the evening was over, one of the ladies told me, she was surprised to see me, when I ask why, she replied, I always thought you were to good for us. My reply was simply, I'm sorry I gave you that impression, I always thought you were to good for me. She said well, you go to church and everything, I replied yes, but we are just alike you and me, there is only one difference in us.... I'm forgiven by the blood of Christ.

Our conversation got very interesting, alot of questions were asked, and answered. I invited her to church Sunday night, she came and said she really enjoyed it. She told me how she had been thinking about getting back into church and that she had not been in several years and she new she needed to. Now will that happen every time...no.. but God placed me in a position to talk to her and with a simple statement, He was able to open a door and touch her heart. Everyone we come in contact with day, needs Jesus. He is the only answer. And if we choose to just hang out with fellow believers, we are catering to ourselves, and Jesus says we are to be light to a lost and dying world.



Moral of this Blog: "You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God"s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those in the darkness and in the shadows of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."
Luke 1: 77-79