Trees

The City of Galveston recently handed out trees to citizens. So many trees were killed by Hurricane Ike.

 

Tree planting takes on a different mindset than grass or flower planting. Trees take forever. Flowers take only a little while to be fully enjoyed. That hammock between the trees may need to wait 20 years. The petunias are good to go today. Yard of the month!

 

I looked up our house in Rifle, Colorado the other day on Google Earth. GE let's you see a pretty good satellite's view of almost any where in the world. The first thing I noticed was the trees. We planted these spindly little fruit trees our first year. We move on in year three.

 

We plant trees (usually) for others. Others whom we do not know or never will know. Trees are an investment in the future but not the instantaneous "bottom line."

 

Jesus enjoyed the moment and so should we. But his investment was in the future. I am in my 7^th decade and I see how much it is important to invest in the future. My template is the Kingdom, as Jesus described it. But it does not lead me to simply contemplate spiritual things (whatever that means.) It leads me to want to make investments in people's futures – financially, environmentally, educationally, and emotionally.

 

What will you do today to plant for the Kingdom? Even if all you will enjoy is something spindly.

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Philippians 2:3 (NIV)