“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Three trees grew side by side on a mountaintop. One day they shared what they dreamed of becoming as the first little tree declared, “I want to become the most wonderful chest in the world, being known for holding precious treasure.”
The next little tree stated, “That sounds nice, but I want to become the strongest ship in the world, carrying powerful kings.”
The third little tree announced, “I don’t want to leave this mountain at all. I just want to grow and grow into the tallest tree I can be so that people will have to raise their eyes to look at me; and when they raise their eyes, they will think of God.”
Years passed before one day the woodcutters came to the mountaintop.
“This tree is beautiful,” one of the woodcutters said. “It will be perfect for what I need.” With those words, he swung his ax and the tree fell, full of hope of becoming a precious treasure chest.
“This tree is strong,” announced another woodcutter, looking at the second tree. “It will work well for me,” and again, an ax felled the tree that felt confident he would soon be a mighty ship.
The third tree was sad when the last woodcutter looked at her. He shook his head, “Any tree will do for me.” And with that, the third tree was down.
The first tree was still excited when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter’s shop. But instead of becoming a treasure box, the tree was filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree was confident in his dreams of becoming a mighty ship when he was brought to a shipyard. But, instead, he was made into a small fishing boat.
All the third tree had wanted was to stay in the mountain and point people to God. So she, too, was sad when she was made into beams and left in the lumber yard.
Many days passed when one night a star shone brightly over the first tree when a young woman put her baby in the feedbox. And, somehow, the tree knew she was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
Years later, a group of people climbed into the humble fishing boat. A strong storm threatened them all. But just when all looked to be lost, one man stood up in the little boat, stretched out his hand and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped and the second tree knew he was, indeed, carrying the King of Kings.
Then one Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were carried through an angry crowd. She trembled when a man’s hands were nailed to her. She wept for her part in it all. But then, on Sunday it all changed, and the tree knew that God’s love filled the earth. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.
It’s good to have goals and dreams. God has given these to us for a reason. But it’s easy to get so caught up in our own plans that we forget God has plans for us all.
Maybe today we can pray to more firmly keep our eyes on Him in hopes of seeing the path He has planned for us all along.
Amen? Amen!
Watering the Seeds
What are your biggest dreams right now for your life?
Are you able to see God’s plan for you in your dream? How?
