The Destiny Tree

by Mary Ann Adams

One sunny afternoon in a land far away, the Hand of God planted a seed.
The seed was that of a tree of great destiny that would dwell in the shadow
of God. The seed began to grow and poked it's head from the soil to begin
the journey of life.

It went well with the little seedling that year, as the earth was warm and
rich with nurture, perfect for a tree to reach it's little branches
heavenward. The gentle, encouraging rain and warm sunshine seemed friendly
to the little tree, so filled with delight and joy just to be alive.

As seasons came and went, the little tree eventually grew stout and strong.
In spring time, children would climb upon it's branches, laughing and
singing. During summer, weary travelers would rest in it's shade and
perhaps enjoy their lunch in the calm, cool shadow of what had now become a
beautiful tree. As autumn worked it's way toward winter, the Destiny Tree
displayed it's leaves in colorful fall splendor.

Many good years passed. The tree no longer heard the laughter of little
children in the spring. They had grown up and had more important things to
do. The travelers did not take time to rest in it's shade, they too seemed
to have much more on their minds. Even the colors of the fall failed to
attract the interest of the few that did pass by.

The Destiny Tree was sure that sometime soon, the purpose which God had
created it for would be revealed. Something inside tusseled against the
winter winds when they began to blow that year. Within the cold chilling
temperatures, the tree had now begun to doubt that it had been created for
any special reason. The hope of knowing what it's life was for began to
flicker like a candle in the wind.

No one seemed to understand, no one realized, that this tree had been
planted by the Hand of God, created for a purpose, for a plan of great
expectation. The Destiny Tree had become unnoticed, taken for granted, even
ignored. "Surely," the tree thought, "I misunderstood who I am, I was wrong
about my destiny. How could I have thought that I could be special.
Surely, God has forgotten me."

Now these were perilous times that the tree lived in and there was a great
restlessness in the land. The people seemed nervous and unsure of what the
next day would bring. There was much activity and not much peace. Even the
Destiny Tree understood that only God Himself had the day in hand, and came
to surrender itself to the Lord and the fate that only He would bring about.

Then one day, quite unexpectedly, a man approached the tree admiringly. He
was the woodcutter of the village and had decidedly pulled his ax from it's
sheath and began to chop.

The Destiny Tree could only raise it's heart heavenward and look to God
with a sad questioning countenance. Suddenly, the Voice of Him in Whom all
things are brought forth spoke. He spoke deep inside to the destiny planted
within the tree, "Now, shall you fulfill the greatest destiny any tree will
ever have."

Peace washed over the tree.

In the woodcutter's shop, the tree was transformed into two great beams,
one shorter than the other, nailed together near the center to form a cross.
Suddenly, the tree was in the midst of a multitude of people. There was
great emotion amongst them; anger, deep anguish, crying, yelling and great
confusion. Then, the tree saw One coming toward it Who looked as if He were
carrying the sins of the world on His shoulders, bruised beyond recognition,
wearing a crown of thorns upon His bloody brow. The called Him Jesus.

Now men were yelling at Jesus to carry the cross. The tree felt beneath it
the Saviour of mankind lift it from the ground. Crying, yelling, weeping,
anger, confusion... Jesus wearily walked on. Another man was called to
carry the tree to a place called Golgotha.

There the tree was laid to rest on the ground, and in their anger, the Son
of God was nailed to the tree. They had no idea that they were also taking
part in the saving of all mankind... but the tree did. When no one could
hear, the tree did. When no one could understand, the tree did. Finally,
the tree understood it's great call to destiny was joined with the greatest
call destiny would ever have. That Jesus Christ, God's Only Begotten Son,
would be the sacrifice to die for all mankind, then rise from the dead on
the third day bringing His life to those who would accept Him. That He
would pay the price we could not pay so that we could live forever in the
presence of God.

One sunny afternoon in a land not so far away, the Hand of God planted a
seed. The seed was that of a person of great destiny, planted within your
mother. Inside you too, there has been planted a hope, a calling to a
destiny, a plan that you too long to fulfill. You don't always understand
it, or possibly even feel it, but it's there, waiting for the gentle spring
rains to coax it to grow heavenward.

You and I are created in the image of God. We are a reflection of Him Who
wants you to know how loved you are, that is why you are reading this. His
plans for you are for good things, for a good future filled with hope.

Sometimes, people around us do not recognize that we are special to God.
We can be mean to one another and discourage one another. Jesus alone was
the answer to the questions of the tree and it's precious destiny, and Jesus
alone is the answer to our precious destiny too.

When we ask Jesus into our heart and to take control of our life, we
surrender our thoughts of what we think should happen, and ask Him to make
our destiny become what He made us to be. We also believe that He died for
us and rose again on the third day so that we might live for Him on earth,
and with Him in heaven. We take the key (which is Jesus) to our lives and
unlock who we are, what we are here for. "And He who began a good work in
you, will be faithful to complete it."

When Jesus rose from the dead, He said He would send the Comforter, Who is
the Holy Spirit. When you ask Jesus to take over your life, ask also for
the power of God to live for Him through His Holy Spirit. He will guide you
in your life and heal you from all the things that are difficult. God alone
knows what you need and how to fill those needs. Give them to Him and He
will show you that He is a good and faithful God. He will never leave you
or forsake you.

The next time you climb a tree, or see the leaves turning those beautiful
colors of fall, remember the Destiny Tree and the special purpose for it's
life. That through Jesus it's dreams were fulfilled, and through Jesus your
dreams will be fulfilled also. Deep within you is a seed of destiny that
Jesus is waiting to grow.

Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will
be opened unto you.

Let Jesus carry you to the hill of Calvary and fulfill your destiny. We
were created to know God and love God. Loving God will be the first
fulfillment of that longing inside. From there He will call you, carry you, guide you,
heal you and lead you to be the person you long to be, to love and be loved.