Given Some Time 

            On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. (Ezekiel 17:23)

I went to visit a friend who lived in a new community. I finally arrived at my destination after driving for some time through the homogenized landscape. Getting out of the car, I looked around, and noticed that the trees were just newly planted saplings, all about five feet high. I thought to myself, “This is truly a new community.”

However, thinking of the future, these trees will steadily mature. As their branches reach toward the sky, their roots will burrow deep to secure a strong foundation. As these trees continue to grow, they will provide shelter from the heat and the rain and bring character to the community, given some time.

When we first come to believe in our Lord Jesus, our spiritual life is very similar to those young saplings. Our Lord Jesus has taken us from our old life and planted us as saplings in His community through His grace. During this time, we aspire to do great things for God. We want to grow quickly and reach the sky, but we may find ourselves too young and too small to do so. We often admire the big trees and see how tall and firm they stand even when the wind is blowing, whereas we can barely hold our own, swaying every which way the wind blows.  

Yes, the big trees can withstand the wind, but every once in a while even their branches will break. The saplings sway whichever way the wind blows, but by doing so they learn to root themselves deeper. Even though we are young, God has a plan and time for everything.

Given some time, as we continue to root our lives in God’s word and nourish ourselves with the Holy Spirit, God will cause us to grow to become a big tree firm in faith, strong in Spirit. The wind may blow, the sun may blaze, the rain may pour around us, but we are able to provide comfort and peace to those in need.

Given some time, through our experiences, difficulties, and trials, God will groom us to be a tree that embodies His nature. We will become mature trees providing good moral character and spiritual quality to the community of God. Given some time, we will be living landmarks directing a lost people looking for a way out of the corrupt world and into the house of God. 

Even though we may feel incapable and small, let us continue to aspire to do great things for God. Let us continue to root ourselves in the truth. Given some time, God will cause us to grow so that we can touch the skies.

            Reflection Questions:

How has our faith grown in the past year?

What are some of the great things we plan to do for God?