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For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. Job 14:7-9 KJV
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV
THE TREE
A long-time forester and I surveyed the shimmering acres of flowering pear trees
together.
together.
I oohed and aahed at their springtime loveliness.
He was silent.
At last, he said, “That one’s struggling.
Don’t you see how small an area it has for its root system? And look at those bare branches. Yup, she’s struggling. It’s as if you can hear her.”
I looked at him in shock. I hadn’t seen any of that. —
And then, I thought of all the people living nearby on those same acres – and surrounding miles.
Were they seemingly doing fine, to uncaring, unheeding eyes?
Was it only to those who cared enough and prayed enough to look beneath the surface with loving hearts, who could see their struggle and pain and the bare, unproductive areas of lives?
The Tree
The tree could be helped if enough cared to put solutions into action.
Lastly, the lives growing without roots in Christ and living water and without fruit because they weren’t linked to the Vine of Life, this, oh this, we fellow Christians could help.
If only we step out of ourselves – and into the fields of harvest.
…”Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved….” Acts 16:31 NKJV
Conclusion by Bruce
Carol points out beautifully how we can see in nature things that trigger thoughts about our faith. You can see how easy it is to apply events in our lives to the task God has given us. What we do with those ideas is what is important. Are we willing to devote ourselves to serving the God who created us?