I was hiking the other day, and I saw the oddest thing: trees being medicated.
(If you are an arborologist or can read Hangul, please comment.)
It was weird and a bit ironic since the night before, while out to dinner at possibly the most delicious Indian restaurant in the world, I made a glib comment about wishing I could just get an IV of Palek Paneer. I immediately took it back when I realized that an IV would deny me the taste. Duh. I don’t want to be robbed of the experience of eating, nor do I want to be denied the experiences that the Lord would use to grow me.
As for these trees, I guess the natural rain and ground nutrients weren’t enough. Similarly, what THE WORLD offers can’t satisfy our needs.
Jesus said he came for the sick (Mark 2:17). During his time on earth, he healed many people’s physical ailments, but JESUS also offered them what they really needed: forgiveness and new life.
Medicine has come a long way (for treating human illnesses and those of trees, apparently), and sometimes we expect a quick fix kind of cure to our problems. Spiritually-speaking, there is no quick fix for our sinfulness. Sure, you can accept Jesus as your personal savior and be saved, but surrendering your life to him each day is a choice you have to make if you are grow in your faith and live the abundant life he promises.
Sometimes I wish that I could just open up my students’ heads and insert knowledge, but it doesn’t work that way. Likewise, I wish that I could just memorize Scripture: ka-pow, I know that one! But, I read somewhere (please comment if you know the source!) that God simply writes his Word ON our hearts. Our hearts have to be broken in order for the Truth to actually get it IN there deep.
Let me clarify, for those of you who are not familiar with church-talk. God doesn’t break our hearts like a bad boyfriend. It’s more of a softening – or a replacement. You see, naturally, our hearts are like stone, hardened by and toward the world. Out of his great love for us, God offers us his own Son and Spirit, that we might experience and understand that LOVE. We learn to see things the way he sees them, and we develop his character. It’s a training process.
As you probably know firsthand, when you pray for patience, God doesn’t go “Poof” and give you patience. He could, but he doesn’t. Instead, he puts the slowest person in front of you in line, or he introduces you to a really frustrating person at work. He gives you opportunities to develop patience.
So, what’s God’s prescription for me?
Well, like the trees, I need medication –
I need to have his Word pumped into me.
And I need exercise –
he recommends a regiment of service.
