I heard this story recently which beautifully explains how God has a special plan for our lives. Through the story, three trees have dreams of what they want to become. Years pass and eventually woodcutters come to their mountain. Each tree finds itself in a place they never desired to be, yet in the end – “God’s love changes everything.”
God has a wonderful plan for our lives and this message reaches out to all ages. Jeremiah 29: 11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has a plan for each of us. There may be times we lose sight of our dreams, and we may not understand things that take place in our lives. We must remember though that God loves us, has a plan for us, and is in control; therefore we can trust Him. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
The Three Trees
Three trees stood on a hill. One day they began talking about what they wanted to be. The first tree wanted to be a throne that a king could sit upon. The second tree wanted to be a ship to carry great treasures. The third tree just wanted to stay where he was and look at the sky. One day a wood cutter came and cut the first tree down. The tree was so excited, he thought now I will become a great throne. The tree was cut into planks and made into a manger to feed animals in a barn. How sad he was. But over time a man and wife came. The wife had a baby and placed the child in the manger. Soon, the sky was filled with a heavenly light and angels were heard singing. All of a sudden the first tree realized he was holding the King of Kings. This was far greater than being a throne for a King. The tree felt all his desires had been fullfilled at that moment.
The wood cutter came again and cut the second tree down. The tree was so excited but he was cut into boards and made into a fishing boat. How sad the second tree was. But over time, a man with some fishermen came into his boat. Very soon a storm came up and the little boat trembled. The man in the boat stood and commanded the storm to be still. How happy the little boat was for now he understood that this was truly a treasure far greater than any he might have expected.
Again the woodcutter came. The third tree trembled in fear for he did not want to be cut down, but alas he too was cut down and cut into beams and thrown in a pile. How sad he was. One day the beams from the third tree were taken out and lashed together in the form of a cross and laid upon the back of a man. The man carried him to a hill where the man was crucified and died. This was the worst that the third tree had ever felt. How lowly and insignificant. But three days later he heard the news, the man who had died upon him had risen from the dead. Now the tree was happier than he had ever been for he realised that from that day forward, he would always be able to look up and see nothing but light.
We may never know why things happen to us in our lives, but we can know that “All things work together to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.”
On behalf of the Activate team, have a very happy and peaceful Christmas x