Where have the tall trees gone?
Tonight I was in a women's home, surrounded by women and their children, all there because the tall and righteous trees that should be there for them to lean on have fallen over or never existed at all.
Something has failed them miserably - whether it be our society, their family, or the one who should be standing there beside them to give them strength and protection from the storms of life. For these fragile little groups something has gone terribly wrong!
My heart cries out for them that they would find "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord" under which they might take shelter and begin to gain strength and grow. Like the tall trees that give shelter in the forest, standing high above the others that grow and are nourished beneath.
Are the tall trees missing because our society cuts them down? What are we doing to raise up righteous ones, establishing them as heads of families, leaders in society, righteous men and women who become the pillars of society, keeping it strong and safe?
In a nation where everything conspires against the biblical family unit, and single parents struggle alone to provide for their children the physical, emotional, and (sometimes) spiritual necessities of life, what is being established that will stand strong and tall in the future?
As society is less and less able to build and sustain such lives, the responsibility for those who live their lives as followers of Jesus Christ begins to be highlighted. It is not enough to attend church once a week, have a great time with those of like-mind, and go home feeling set up for the week.
There is more required of us.
There is a need now that we live more than a life that sustains us.
There is a need for us to understand that the daily bread Jesus provides for us must be eaten DAILY and the cup of salvation drunk deeply DAILY in order that we have sufficient to sustain ourselves and then an abundance over and above that to give away.
We are carriers of HIS LIFE. We are carriers of HIS HOPE. We are carriers of HIS HEALING.
We have been made rich in order that we would have a treasure and investment to give away to those who are poor. Are we taking such a treasure and burying it daily so as not to lose it - or are we liberally investing it, pouring it into the places it is needed, in order that we would see it multiplied over and over and over and over....ensuring great fruitfulness and food for all.
What have we done with our fives loaves and fishes today?
I feel embarrassed that with all He has given me, I find so few places to invest this great richness.
Dear Lord, I continue to ask for your divine appointments and opportunities, not just for myself but also for my brothers and sisters in You. Come Lord Jesus and lead us in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Your Name. Begin to establish great trees of righteousness that you plant deep in the soil in order that they will display Your love, Your security and safety, Your hope, Your healing..... Help us to pour out the riches You have invested in us Lord....today....tomorrow........
Tonight I was in a women's home, surrounded by women and their children, all there because the tall and righteous trees that should be there for them to lean on have fallen over or never existed at all.
Something has failed them miserably - whether it be our society, their family, or the one who should be standing there beside them to give them strength and protection from the storms of life. For these fragile little groups something has gone terribly wrong!
My heart cries out for them that they would find "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord" under which they might take shelter and begin to gain strength and grow. Like the tall trees that give shelter in the forest, standing high above the others that grow and are nourished beneath.
Are the tall trees missing because our society cuts them down? What are we doing to raise up righteous ones, establishing them as heads of families, leaders in society, righteous men and women who become the pillars of society, keeping it strong and safe?
In a nation where everything conspires against the biblical family unit, and single parents struggle alone to provide for their children the physical, emotional, and (sometimes) spiritual necessities of life, what is being established that will stand strong and tall in the future?
As society is less and less able to build and sustain such lives, the responsibility for those who live their lives as followers of Jesus Christ begins to be highlighted. It is not enough to attend church once a week, have a great time with those of like-mind, and go home feeling set up for the week.
There is more required of us.
There is a need now that we live more than a life that sustains us.
There is a need for us to understand that the daily bread Jesus provides for us must be eaten DAILY and the cup of salvation drunk deeply DAILY in order that we have sufficient to sustain ourselves and then an abundance over and above that to give away.
We are carriers of HIS LIFE. We are carriers of HIS HOPE. We are carriers of HIS HEALING.
We have been made rich in order that we would have a treasure and investment to give away to those who are poor. Are we taking such a treasure and burying it daily so as not to lose it - or are we liberally investing it, pouring it into the places it is needed, in order that we would see it multiplied over and over and over and over....ensuring great fruitfulness and food for all.
What have we done with our fives loaves and fishes today?
I feel embarrassed that with all He has given me, I find so few places to invest this great richness.
Dear Lord, I continue to ask for your divine appointments and opportunities, not just for myself but also for my brothers and sisters in You. Come Lord Jesus and lead us in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Your Name. Begin to establish great trees of righteousness that you plant deep in the soil in order that they will display Your love, Your security and safety, Your hope, Your healing..... Help us to pour out the riches You have invested in us Lord....today....tomorrow........
You hit the mark again. I was looking up at some tall trees just the other day, aware of their age, their steady growth, somehow something was touching my spirit and I'd forgotten about the trees until I read your post.
ReplyDeleteI feel a great sadness for NZ, this over PC generation, but true Godly values are meaningless but it's OK for the bad to be honoured, but God has a redemptive plan for this Nation.
I have much to learn from you and esteem your giftings in God, you are like a spiritual Mum, mentor...even if I haven't got to know you so well, I just feel this mantle rests upon you.
Hope this makes sense
You are such an encourager Karen, thank you - I have so come to appreciate the comments you leave here, they are insightful and helpful.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in time I feel you have hit the nail on the head - we are totally reliant on God's redemptive heart and plan for us and for our nation - I hear that word over and over again.
He is the God who redeems, restores, keeps His convenant of love with his own. I am so grateful.
Bless you LOTS.
Thanks for your encouragement too. I have started delving into 'trees' as a study and have updated my blog with a tree study.
ReplyDelete