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Thursday, August 11
“The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. It had fresh green leaves…Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches.” (Dan. 4:20-21 NLT)
That was Tree. Deep in the midst of nature’s sanctuary, he stood above all the rest. Grand and beautiful.
Tree’s branches stretched toward the sky as if to touch his Creator and reached out in a wide circle as if to encompass all those around him.
In spring, he blossomed with new growth, opening his limbs as a portal of welcome for the birds to come sing their sweet melodies to their Creator.
In the hot, summer sun, his leaves unfurled as a canopy of shade for the lovers who came to sit on the bench beneath his shadow and commune with the Master of the forest.
In the midst of fall, seedlings of hope fell from his limbs to the ground, spreading out his tiny descendants of the future. He dressed in a multicolored coat of beauty for all to enjoy before the grave of winter entombed him.
With all that, he still felt useless.
I provide comfort for all the Creator’s creatures, thought Tree. But oh, I wish I could be of greater service to Him. How can I be an entrance of praise to my Maker? How can I be a support to the Creator’s followers? How can I be a likeness of the Master’s message of love and forgiveness? Oh, to be of greater service!
But he puzzled just how to this.
One day, Tree heard his Creator say, “Because it is in your heart to serve Me, I shall grant your heart’s desires.”
On the outskirts of the forest, nestled in the lush, green valley laid a picturesque town. A small, white church sat in the midst of the town square.
One day, a fierce twister ripped through the area, cutting a devastating swath through the forest and the middle of town, destroying most of the old church.
When the parishioners came to assess the damage, they were overwhelmed with despair as they walked through the piles of rubble. But they gathered themselves together and began working to rebuild the church on their own as they could not afford to hire anyone for the work.
One day, one of the workers, a carpenter, had an idea. He went out to the forest to find a tree felled by the storm’s ravages. He walked deep within the forest and found a magnificent tree lying on the ground.
Oh, how can I ever be of service now that I am destroyed? thought Tree.
Taking out his axe, the carpenter chopped Tree into sections and hauled them back to his workshop.
On his way there, three ideas swirled around in his head. For the next several months, the carpenter sacrificed all his time to fashioning three special items out of the tree for the church.
The following spring, when the work was completed, the people came the first Sunday to worship. Arriving at the church, they all marveled how beautiful it looked and how it glorified God. The carpenter had used the remnants of the tree to fashion the front door, the pews, and the cross.
You could almost hear Tree sigh. Now, my heart’s desires to be of service are answered.
Because of the carpenter’s handiwork, I am now an entrance of praise, a welcoming portal, that worshippers may come to the sanctuary of God and sing their sweet melodies of praise.
Because of the carpenter’s artistry, I am now polished pews, supporting the Creator’s followers, as they come to commune with the Master.
Because of the carpenter’s sacrifice, I am the cross that proudly proclaims the Master’s message of love and forgiveness, that more may have eternal life.
We are God’s trees of righteousness (Is. 61:3). Though we serve the Lord, occasionally, we feel useless and desire to be of greater use. Just as the little, white church, we, too, must sometimes suffer a ravaging storm to blow through our midsection as it attempts to destroy our temple that we may be of higher service.
When we feel we have been felled by the world’s axe of affliction, the Carpenter can still make us useful. If that is our hearts’ desire.
*Because of God’s handiwork in our lives, we open our hearts to praise Him.
*Because of Christ’s artistry in our lives, we can be reshaped to support God’s people.
*Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we can share His love with others and point them to His cross of forgiveness and eternal life.
Just as the carpenter sacrificed all his time to fashion special items for the little church, Jesus the Carpenter sacrificed for us to be made into His implements for the church to glorify Him.
Trust the Carpenter to do His work well with you.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 NKJV)
Lynn, that was a beautiful illustration of how God works through apparent tragedy to accomplish something great.
You are always so sweet with your comments! Thank you, sweetie, for blessing me! Bless you!
Great story Lynn, thanks for sharing. God can use anything and anyone!
God Bless you sweet Lynn. xo
Lynn, That truly brought tears to my eyes! Oh how we long to be used by the Living God more...just like Tree!
I truly love the way you described some of the ways we can do just that.
A entrance to praise; a pew of support and a testimony of what the cross of Christ really means!
Thank you for this post, my friend! It was exactly what I needed to read this morning! :-)
Lynn, That captures what's going on in my heart lately! How beautiful your writing! I thank God for your useful service in encouraging others like me yearning to be used for greater service by Him!
What a wonderful story! Yes, I want Him to use me. And the pain from the past can make one stronger. Someone once told me to not waste the pain. . .to use it to bring Him glory. . .I hope I do that!
Thank you Lynn:)
Thanks, Marja! If He can use a donkey, He can use anything...even me! LOL
Hey, Katie-kins! So glad to see you! Thanks for dropping by! Blessings!
Thank you, dear Stephanie! You make my heart jump for joy! I so appreciate your kind words. Bless you!
Stephanie, I'm saying a prayer for you, sweetie!
Elizabeth, thank you so much, dear one. You bless me. Saying a prayer for you as well. Blessings to you!
Oh, Kristin! You are so useful to God's kingdom and a blessing to all. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. Bless you!
When he's a little older, this is a story I'd like to read to my grandson.
Oh, my! Glynn, what a great compliment! That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about my writing! Thank you and bless you!
Beautiful post Lynn! I love your "word pictures" and touching illustrations of how God works in us to fashion implements that He can use to the benefit of others.
I have a dear friend who draws the most incredible tree drawings. He is a Christian and his name is Stephen Malkoff. I actually wrote a poem for him about his love of trees and God's gift to us through them. He draws many famous historical trees including live oaks in the south. He's been featured in Southern Living & Guideposts. Visit him at www.aboresque.com .
I especially love the part about the church doors, pews and cross. God uses us to open the door to the gospel, have a place for the weary to rest, and offer them the open arms of our Lord from the cross of salvation.
Blessings,
LOL Deborah, you always pull out the things I neglect to say! Thanks so much for another great comment. And I will surely check out your friend. Thanks for telling me about him. Bless you!
Amen and amen! Great truth is told here! Praise the LORD!
Beautifully written, Lynn. God can use us just as we are, fallen on the forest floor of devestation but still with a heart for Him. Thank you.
Hey, Kimberly! Thanks, sweetie! I always appreciate hearing from you! Blessings to you!
You make my heart happy, Carol! Yes, God can use us in any way at any time for any thing! Thank you so much! Bless you!
Wow. This was beautiful, Lynn. It definitely holds true in my own life.
I often find it's the tough stuff that challenged me and caused me to grow closer to Him that God uses in others' lives. Meanwhile, I'm sitting there dumbfounded, "Now, I get it. The pain wasn't just for my growth!"
Wow! Such a great comment, Debra! I'm honored. Thank you so much! Bless you!