But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. (Ps. 52:8)
There is a locust tree in my front yard that “flourishes” every year—almost to a fault. In summer, its seed pods nearly outnumber its leaves! In autumn, those seed pods fall . . . and fall . . . and fall . . . until the entire yard is covered. The wind blows the pods into the driveway, the street, and my neighbor’s yard. By spring, new little locust trees sprout up everywhere.
Years ago, one seed found its way into a tiny crack in the corner of our house and took root. By the time I noticed the baby tree growing behind a rose bush, it was firmly well-established. I tried to pull it out by its roots, but to no avail; it simply would not budge! Now, all I can do is clip it off at its base each year so that it does not grow larger and damage the house’s foundation.
Those locust pods can be annoying little pests, but here in Nebraska, trees are a highly valuable resource. Several of the locust trees that have sprouted in my yard have been carefully relocated, rather than destroyed, since they prove hearty in harsh, extreme weather. Similarly, those who “flourish” in the “house of God” have a high and special purpose: to display the powerful, persistent, tenacious love of God to a world suffering from sin’s destructiveness.
Spread God’s Word by showing Christ’s love to others.
Laura Hurd is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and holds a master’s degree from Wesley Seminary. She co-pastors with her husband, Jason, in rural Nebraska.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
