Courage For Today

grow

Footprints for Others

Strength

My wife and I love to take an occasional stroll on the beach.  There’s really not much more relaxing than walking along the edge of the water and watching all the wonderful sights.  I especially enjoy watching all the children playing in the sand and building those sand castle masterpieces.  The kids on the beach are so intense with their sand buckets and shovels and are so proud of what they’ve built.  There’s just nothing like it.

On our most recent trip to the beach, we were able to do a little more walking than usual.  The beach meandered around the coastline for miles and miles.  We soon came across a pier that reached out into the ocean water several hundred feet or so. We thought that this would be a nice place to sit a few moments and catch our breath so we both sat off to the side of the pier observing all the busy fishermen testing their skills.  We found a nice shady spot next to some large concrete support beams which shielded us temporarily from the heat of the day.

As I sat there, I noticed that we weren’t the first ones of the day at this particular spot. There were the remains of a small sand castle that was fighting to stay in tact from the onslaught of the crashing waves.  The small footprints that were once fresh in the sand, no doubt the builders of the sand castle, were now just barely visible.   It would only be a few more dozen waves until the sand would be a clean slate again, ready for the next day’s activities. This was in stark contrast to the artwork I soon noticed in the concrete support beam next to us.  I wasn’t sure when the pier was built, but –at the time it was built–someone decided to place themselves in immortality by carving a small heart in the concrete with the names of themselves and their loved one.  It was hardened in the concrete for all to see for as long as the concrete was standing.

I thought to myself how symbolic this was of God’s Word and our Work in the Christian Life.  How often do we work and work and work, doing what we may feel the Lord has called us to do, only to see little reward—–at least in our own minds.  We wonder if anything we do in the Christian Life is permanent or simply temporary?  The important thing for us, as Christians, to remember is that if we are obedient, there will always be rewards if we don’t grow weary.

That day on the beach showed me two types of Works.  One that was temporary and one that was permanent.  Whatever you are doing for the Lord, keep it up. HIS work has permanent results and is never in vain.  Don’t quit and don’t grow tired.  It may be years before you see results, or the results may not even be in your lifetime, but you’ll always leave footprints hardened in the concrete for others to see, not washed away like the sands on the beach.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  Galations 6: 9 (NIV)

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Let Go and Let Grow

Grace

“…when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. ”  (James 1:2-4)

Trials in life are not usually considered as an opportunity for great joy, but that is just what God tells us to consider it. This doesn’t make any sense to our human logic, but through Christ it makes all the sense in the world. As difficult as it is during the trial, we must all learn to see our trials as God does.

Trials present us with the prospect of growth and development.  The trials we face should lead us to lean on the promises of God. They should encourage us to abide in His love and care for us; they should encourage us to go to the Word for the help we need. As we do this, we will find ourselves nourished spiritually and we will find the joy that abides in His presence.

Trials also teach us endurance or patience. They teach us to stay cheerful and hopeful as long as we remain focused on the promises of God. Faith and patience go hand-in-hand, and they bring God’s promises to fruition in our lives. As long as we abide in the Word and remain focused on God’s promises (rather than our situation) we will grow spiritually—–so, let it grow!

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Striving to Flourish Like a Palm Tree

Self-Worth

My wife and I love the beach.  In fact, we will most likely try to find our retirement home near the beach.  There’s just something so peaceful about the waves, the cool ocean breeze, and the beauty of the sunset over the horizon.  We could spend hours just walking up and down the beach or just relaxing under the shade of a palm tree taking a nap in our hammock or lounge chairs.

On one recent beach trip, as I was relaxing and reading, I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that says a Christian will flourish like the palm tree. I always thought it was rather curious why Christians were compared to palm trees but, after some research, I can see now why God used the palm tree as an example of true Christianity:

  • Palm trees will not grow in filthy soil.  If you were to plant a palm tree in soil that was dirty or soil that didn’t have enough nutrients to sustain life, the tree will not grow.  How true that is of our Christian life.  If you surround yourself with negativity and non-Christian beliefs, you will not grow in your Christian life.
  • Palm trees are impressive to look at; straight and tall.  Most palm trees stand out and rise above the surrounding vegetation.  You can always spot a palm tree from other trees because of its distinct look with its one-of-a-kind leaves.  In fact, palm trees guide travelers to an oasis.  As Christians, how do others see you?  Do they view your life as an example of how a Christian life should be?
  • Palm trees grow from the inside out instead of outside inward.  It is common for most trees to grow outside inward which creates the rings in a tree we are all familiar with.  Palm trees are an exception and grow from the inside.  As Christians, our strength comes from our relationship with God and an inner strength that only HE can provide.  When we look for strength from the World, or outside sources, we fail as Christians.
  • Palm trees grow in bunches for support.  Most of the time, you don’t see a single palm tree.  Usually, you see groups of palm trees in small clusters.  Palm trees actually grow best in small groups.  Christians are no different.  We need each other for support.  Certainly, churches and Christians disagree but, the fellowship, encouragement, and accountability of other Christians is essential to our faith.
  • Palm trees never stop bearing fruit.  Almost without fail, a healthy palm tree will continue to bear its fruit its entire life span.  There isn’t a time when a palm tree ceases to produce what it was designed to produce.  Similarly, Christians never cease producing spiritual fruit.  Perhaps it is a kind word to someone.  Perhaps its helping a friend in need.  Maybe its simply listening to a loved one during a tough time.  The strongest Christians are always giving to others in some way or another setting the example for true Christian faith.
  • Palm tree branches are a symbol of victory.  In many situations, you will see palm leaves used by victors in battle as a symbol for their triumph.  As Christians, we are victors and have won the ultimate victory.  What happens in life certainly shapes and molds us, but doesn’t have the final word.  When all is said and done and we breathe our last breath, those of us that are Christians have final and eternal victory.

As you read God’s word and come across references to palm trees or the next time you relax lazily under the shade of the beautiful palms, I would encourage you to take the time to do a simple self-assessment of your own Christian life and make sure that your Christian life flourishes like the palm tree.

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You Can Grow Where You Are Planted

Strength

One thing I love about beautiful spring weather is it brings the opportunity to finally throw away the chains of winter.  The birds sing louder, the sun shines brighter, and everyone just seems happier.  On one recent Spring Day, I was enjoying the opportunity to take a walk outside and enjoy the wonderful day.  As I walked down the sidewalk taking in the beauty of the day, I noticed several places along my walk where small stems of grass or weeds had somehow mightily pushed through a small crack in the sidewalk or, perhaps, somehow created their own small opportunity to spring forth under the most difficult of conditions.   It didn’t matter that the concrete sidewalk seemed impenetrable or that that the soil was not perfect or ideal for growing or that the grass had been stepped on and torn; somehow, the small blade of grass persevered and managed to grow anyway.

As Christians, we tend to live our lives in a world of “if only’s” and “what ifs.”  We believe that if only “so and so” had not have happened in my life, I could do more for God and be more successful.  We ask ourselves, “what if I could have done this”, or “what if I would not have done this,” I would be one of God’s chosen few.  We live our lives trying to convince ourselves that we don’t live more for God because we don’t have all the tools or benefits we need to get the job done.   Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

You’re not stuck where you are.   Despite the obstacles you may face; despite what may seem like an uphill climb, you can grow, you can change,  you can make a difference, you  can be more than you are today with God’s help.  Basically, as Christians, we have two choices.  You can constantly search outwardly for what you don’t have or what you think you may need.  This leads to discontentment and frustration because you’re always chasing something you will never catch.  I know, I’ve done this myself.  The second choice is to begin changing your focus to an upward focus toward God in all that you do and realizing HE is the source of all things in your life.  No obstacle will be too great.  No mountain too high to climb.  No desert too dry to grow.  I have to believe that the little blade of grass I saw that day was outwardly focused on growing toward the beautiful sun that so brightened everyone’s day.  Change your focus and you’ll grow where you are planted.

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Having Faith Not To Grow Weary

Faith

Sometimes, life just doesn’t seem fair. We work and work and work and seemingly can’t catch a break. Sometimes, we go through life thinking that it just doesn’t matter what I do–I’m never going to get ahead. We might be working long hours. We might be working two or more jobs. We might be working and going to school to get ahead. We might simply be struggling with balancing home and work life. After a while, all this work and no play creates an unbelievable amount of stress in our lives. I know there were times in my life when I struggled with many of those issues. I questioned why I worked so hard for seemingly little reward. Sometimes, it seemed like it would be easier to simply quit and give up and stop treading water, but I kept on going anyway.  If you have ever felt that way or currently feel this way, I encourage you to continue on your journey.

Several months ago, I decided to drive by the very first house I can remember our family living in when I was a young child.  I am not sure why I wanted to do that but for some reason I was just in the mood to think back on my childhood. I managed to drive by this small, brick home with so many great memories.  What immediately struck me was this huge pink blossom tree in the front yard.  I don’t even know what type of tree it was; perhaps a dogwood or pink dogwood. Nonetheless, I distinctly remembered my dad planting this tree probably over 45 years ago.  I remembered watching him plant that small sapling on that particular day all those years ago and now it was a strong, blossoming tree towering over the front yard.  It so reminded me of Galatians 6:9 when it speaks of letting us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

I am sure that little tree endured through many terrible winters and hot summers, but it endured. It took years and years for it to grow into the beautiful tree that now graces that yard, but the beauty is now there for others to enjoy. What was planted years ago is now more breathtaking than ever.

In my life, I have learned to focus less on the short-term and more on what God’s purpose is for my life.  If I focus on His purpose and the long-term goal, I am not as concerned with short term setbacks.  Instead of looking at setbacks as road blocks, they become merely stepping stones to the larger purpose.  Just because I don’t see an immediate reward for what I am doing doesn’t mean there isn’t a benefit.  It just may mean that I need to endure and keep moving on and the reward may come later, sometimes in ways I could never imagine.

As you think about your day, your life, and your purpose—don’t grow weary. Who would have thought that an innocent sapling planted over 50 years ago would have reminded me of such a Godly promise?  Keep moving on and don’t be discouraged and you will reap in due time.

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