Several years ago, when my oldest granddaughter was in 3rd grade she brought home what appeared to be a stick. In reality, it was Arbor Day and all the children were given a tree to plant and watch it grow. My granddaughter asked her Pappy (me) to help her plant the “stick.” With much doubt that anything would ever grow from that stick, we planted it, watered it, and waited to see what happened.
Eventually, the stick did begin to grow. In the coming months, the stick became a beautiful Tulip Poplar tree which, by the way, is the Indiana State Tree. After several years of watching the tree grow, I realized we had planted the tree in a spot where it would very soon rise into the electrical lines above it. Reluctantly, I decided the tree must go. So, it was cut down. But, the stump remained.
Over time, I began to notice sprouts coming out of the stump. Those sprouts eventually began to become a tree again. It is now maintained, not as a tree, but as a bush, kept trimmed, usually, to a height no more than about 4 feet.
As I reflect on the life of this insignificant little stick which seemed to have no life, I am reminded of the new life we are promised as we plant our lives in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, writes to Christians in Rome, these words: "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new way of life. If we have been united with Him in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
What an undeserved, immeasurable promise we have because of Jesus’ sacrifice, his death, burial and resurrection. That promise that a life planted, watered, and growing in Christ, will never experience eternal death. That promise is that we, like our Lord, Jesus Christ, though we die, we will live again. And, not only live again but live eternally in His presence.
Author --- Gary K. Fair
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