Evergreen

A huge evergreen stands before me with its long branches extended halfway across the path. The branches appear strong and robust. The tree is a healthy shade of green. Even its pine needles look sturdy and radiant, as they sparkle in the morning dew.

This tree remains green all year long. It never changes color in the spring rain, the summer heat, or the winter snow. Jesus Christ is like the evergreen tree — always fragrant, always strong, always standing with welcoming, out-stretched arms. Jesus calls us to also be like an evergreen — green, growing, healthy, vibrant, sweet-smelling, and hospitable.

Healthy evergreens do not grow tall and beautiful by themselves. They need good soil, plenty of sunshine, and the right amount of rain. We are planted in good soil when our roots grow deep into the mighty love of Christ. Not only does Jesus give us all the nourishment and nutrients we need for life, but He is also the solid Rock of our foundation, that holds us secure in the raging storms.

In Jesus Christ, we have all the sunshine we need. We have the radiance of the Son rising up within us, the light of God the Father shining down upon us, and the brightness of the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us. As we seek the Lord and grow closer to Him, His light increases dramatically, and we shine brighter, too.

And we have all the water we need. God's Holy Spirit rains down upon us to help us soak up the nourishment that we need to prosper in Jesus. God's Living Water flows continually from the throne of Heaven to quench our thirst. And as we partake more of more of Christ, streams of Living Water begin to flow out of us, too.

We have all the elements we need to become mighty evergreen trees. We have the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God calls us to prosper in Him, and as we yield to Him, He enables us to grow strong and tall.

For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com