The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A Tree of Life" for Friday, 15 April 2016 with Scripture: Ephesians 2:4 But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.
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We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.[Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)]
At the edge of the field stands a tree that has been struck by lightning several times. It is a splintered mass of scorched wood and pulp that is graying with disease. Some of its wounds are recent, but some are partially grown over — this tree has been a real survivor. It is not only still alive, but out of a diseased and blackened scar a few feet from the ground, a large limb has continued to grow. In the early spring, this scarred and deformed tree is covered with light green buds, and within its limbs is nestled a bird’s nest.
If you saw only the base of the tree, you’d see a shattered, disease-ridden stump. If you saw only the limb jutting out, you’d think you were looking at a healthy tree. In both cases you would be mistaken about the tree’s true condition, and in neither case would you be seeing the tree for what it really is: one of God’s many miracles.
When we encounter someone scarred by a traumatic event or weathered by long-term disease or disability, we might make incorrect assumptions based on what we see. But that person has the potential to grow, thrive, bloom, and nurture others. Each person is made in the image of God and is another one of God’s many miracles.
The Author: Rebecca Canfield (Maryland, USA)
Thought for the Day:
Each person I meet is created in God’s image.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember that every person is your child, created in your image. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone I have disregarded
At the edge of the field stands a tree that has been struck by lightning several times. It is a splintered mass of scorched wood and pulp that is graying with disease. Some of its wounds are recent, but some are partially grown over — this tree has been a real survivor. It is not only still alive, but out of a diseased and blackened scar a few feet from the ground, a large limb has continued to grow. In the early spring, this scarred and deformed tree is covered with light green buds, and within its limbs is nestled a bird’s nest.
If you saw only the base of the tree, you’d see a shattered, disease-ridden stump. If you saw only the limb jutting out, you’d think you were looking at a healthy tree. In both cases you would be mistaken about the tree’s true condition, and in neither case would you be seeing the tree for what it really is: one of God’s many miracles.
When we encounter someone scarred by a traumatic event or weathered by long-term disease or disability, we might make incorrect assumptions based on what we see. But that person has the potential to grow, thrive, bloom, and nurture others. Each person is made in the image of God and is another one of God’s many miracles.
The Author: Rebecca Canfield (Maryland, USA)
Thought for the Day:
Each person I meet is created in God’s image.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember that every person is your child, created in your image. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone I have disregarded
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