The Tree I Couldn't See

During a recent walk with Ellie in our neighborhood, my mind wandered as she explored her surroundings with that beagle nose of hers. Suddenly, I came across some small golden flowers on the sidewalk, which I didn't recognize. When I looked to find their source, I could only see the intertwined branches of cedar, pine, and oak trees. It wasn't until we had walked a distance away and I turned back toward home that I saw the tree responsible for producing those lovely blossoms.  When I had looked before, I was just too close to see the tree.

The tree had magnificent green leaves and was decorated with countless small, golden flowers. It was hard to believe that I had never seen this tree before, even though I had lived on this street for over three decades.

The tree reminded me of ourselves in our Christian lives.  The Lord is working in us every minute, every second to conform us "to the image of His Son," whether we know it or not.  

We may not be able to see the fruits of His working in us today, but one day we will.  He will have completed His work and our earthly bodies, which now bear the strains of corruption, shall "put on incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:54).  All things shall be new, including us.

"But as it is written, 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' " 

1 Corinthians 2:9

When we read that verse I often think of heaven, the beauties, the wonders, the glories we will behold.  All that is true, but there is something so much more.  We can not imagine what the Lord has prepared in us.  IN us.  He is using everything in our lives to conform us to "His dear Son."

"But we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is," (1 John 3:2.)

 I may not know all this verse means, but I understand the phrase "we shall be like Him."  We will have been conformed to His image.  We shall never again know pain, suffering, or weakness.  Our desire, our joy will always be to do that which pleases Him.  As Glen and I have often said, our greatest days are ahead!