I love when God takes unconnected, unrelated messages or scripture readings and provides a theme throughout the week. That has happened to me this week. On Sunday, Eric walked us through Psalm 1 with the charge to plant trees which led to a great small group discussion Wednesday night on how much a tree illustrates the Christian life. The need for roots to go deep. That what goes on below the surface determines what happens above the surface.
And then today as I am reading a new book, Lead by Paul David Tripp, he takes us into Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
And then today as I am reading a new book, Lead by Paul David Tripp, he takes us into Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
'Oaks of righteousness' - a description of one God has called to ministry. Really a description of every believer as we are each called to be ministers and given a ministry from God. Look at what Tripp says, "What a beautiful and provocative picture. What is the gospel good news to the poor? That they will be 'oaks of righteousness.' Why is an oak tree tall and strong? The answer is longevity. Oak trees are powerful and majestic because they have weathered years and years of withering sun, gusting winds, and bitter cold. Year by year, season by season, they grow in strength.. They send their roots deeper and deeper into the nutrient soil until they are virtually unmovable."
The oak tree plays the long game. The long constant growth. A commitment to strengthening over time as it gains what it needs through its roots. The Christian must be committed to the long game. The years of growth! The number of seasons, weathering storms! Not so the mushroom. The mushroom plays the short game. It grows at the base of the mighty oak. Popping up over night and not lasting very long. No roots, easily knocked over or picked with a simple tug.
God wants to develop in each of us - oak trees! Everyone of us needs to continue to mature in our faith so we can stand the storms that life brings us. Storms that God will use to make us stronger. The long game means discipline. Daily doing the things we may not want to do in order to be able to do the things we do want to do. Bible reading. Bible study. Prayer. Fasting. Silence. Solitude. Community. Worship. These are all parts of the long game playbook.
How about you? What is your long game? What is your plan for spiritual maturity, growth, longevity? It won't happen over night and it won't happen accidentally.
Together, let's be a community, a grove of trees, playing the long game!
The oak tree plays the long game. The long constant growth. A commitment to strengthening over time as it gains what it needs through its roots. The Christian must be committed to the long game. The years of growth! The number of seasons, weathering storms! Not so the mushroom. The mushroom plays the short game. It grows at the base of the mighty oak. Popping up over night and not lasting very long. No roots, easily knocked over or picked with a simple tug.
God wants to develop in each of us - oak trees! Everyone of us needs to continue to mature in our faith so we can stand the storms that life brings us. Storms that God will use to make us stronger. The long game means discipline. Daily doing the things we may not want to do in order to be able to do the things we do want to do. Bible reading. Bible study. Prayer. Fasting. Silence. Solitude. Community. Worship. These are all parts of the long game playbook.
How about you? What is your long game? What is your plan for spiritual maturity, growth, longevity? It won't happen over night and it won't happen accidentally.
Together, let's be a community, a grove of trees, playing the long game!
Ted Harris
Associate Pastor