24-Feb-15

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7This isn’t a passing fad, to accept Jesus.  There is a part two — follow Him.  This is an every day, all day, 24/7 commitment.Once upon a time Tree decided to search for a place to be planted.  He looked far and wide.  Tree knew if he had just the right place, his branches would reach for the sky and his beautiful leaves would extend his beauty.  Birds would come from far away places just to sit on the branches.  Tree dreamed big dreams of his glory.  Would it be on a hill, in a valley, by a stream?  Finally he chose to be planted by a stream.  But alas, he decided that the rocks near by cluttered his new home, so he moved.  His dream this time was lofty, and he chose the top of a hill.  Every wind that blew, made him realize this would be precarious living.  Tree moved to a green valley that was sheltered.  With all the moving he did, his branches did not reach their full potential.  Indeed, they were so weak, one broke off when some of the children who lived near by tried to climb him.  Tree felt broken, missing a limb, he felt tired because he hadn’t let his roots grow deep, he felt despair because his lofty, leafy dreams were not realized.Then one day, the tree looked up into the sky and realized that God created him.  God is the only one who could help him.  The tree bowed his branches, and pleaded, “Dear God, You are my refuge, please don’t let them kill me!”Father God, looked down on the tree and realized he was ready to hear.  “Tree-son, you were determined to find the best for yourself.  You almost killed yourself, when you did not let your roots grow deep into the soil where you were.  When you make a commitment to grow, I will bless you with more than beautiful leaves and branches.  I will give you the heart to grow and love.  Love is what makes you beautiful.””Now, lift your leafy arms to me, and pray.  I will give you abundantly more than you could ever ask for.  I love you, Tree.  Grow, grow deep and strong in the earth’s soil where you are.”  And Tree realized that it was so.  Every morning Tree smiled and raised his leafy arms to pray.  Birds came to sing praise to God while sitting in the tree’s branches.  Squirrels chattered happily as they swung from one strong branch to another.  Tree came alive with the wonder as he praised the Sovereign Lord.I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord. You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me. Psalm 141:8