“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16, NIV).
If only we could “plug in” our desired destination to get through life and then have an app to click on to show the best and safest route to get there, I wonder how many people would use it? While the concept at first thought may sound enticing, probably many of us who have lived in this world long enough realize that the most difficult and challenging “detours,” though worn and weathered in places have made us stronger and perhaps a little wiser than we could have been otherwise; maybe you find yourself in this category? Let me tell you a story to lend visual aid to this metaphor.
A few weeks ago, I began working with a talented horticulturist on a landscape plan for my new home. When visiting the nursery supplying the inventory, one tree immediately caught my eye.
“What kind of tree is that?” I asked.
The expert helping me replied, “that is a Japanese Red Maple.”
She slowed the golf cart to a stop. I hopped out and encircling the beautiful, red-leafed specimen, I began noticing the trunk of the tree. Like photographs I have seen, the brown bark twisting and turning, the rough thickness, gnarled with age reminded me of a bonsai tree. The total width of the tree looked to be about eight feet in diameter and the height maybe five and a half feet. By the size of the trunk, I asked the next logical and obvious question.
“How old is the Japanese Red Maple?”
She replied, “Well, we are not positive, but we do know it is at least fifty years old, could be more like seventy.”The horticulturist went on to explained some of its history. “When the owner of the landscaping company bought his first home at around the age of twenty, the tree was already in his yard. He lived in the house for fifty years, so it could easily be seventy years old.”
“I would like that tree!” I said emphatically.
The Japanese Red Maple has now been relocated and rests, again, in the ground in a prominent location in my yard. I can see it from many different angles to remind me that the wear and tear of time can produce grace, beauty, and strength, not only in trees, but within the person who trusts in the Lord. With every twist and turn in the journey of our lives, God will sustain us and mold us into the being He created us to be by His Almighty power if we will trust Him.
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks [or an aged Japanese Red Maple] that the Lord has planted for his own glory” (Isaiah 61:3, NLT, paraphrase mine).
Father in heaven, Creator and Lord of all life be with us through every experience and circumstance. Give us the courage and strength to endure challenges that will surely accompany us on the journey this side of heaven. Give us a glimpse into what You see resulting in remaining steadfast, no matter the challenges that come our way. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
