1. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” 4. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—they are like the new grass of the morning: 6. In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. 7. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. 12. Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
The Giving Tree
The book with this title by Sel Silverstien follows the lives of an apple tree and a boy, who develop a relationship with each other. In his childhood, the boy enjoyed playing with the tree, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, carving "Me + T (Tree)" into the bark, and eating her apples. However, as the boy grows older, he spends less time with the tree and tends to visit her only when he wants something at various stages of his life. He brings is girlfriend to the tree and carves "Me +Y.L." (for "young love") into the tree.
In this fable in an effort to make the boy happy at each of stages of growth, the tree gives him parts of herself, which he can transform into material items, such as money from her apples when the boy is a teenager, a house from her branches when the boy is a young man, and a boat from her trunk when the boy is a middle-aged man. With every stage of giving, "the Tree was happy".
In the final pages, both the tree and the boy feel the sting of their respective "giving" and "taking" nature. When only a stump remains for the tree. The boy returns as a tired elderly man to meet the tree once more. She tells him she is sad because she cannot provide him shade, apples, or any materials like in the past. He tells her that all he wants is "a quiet place to sit and rest", which the tree, who is weak, being just a stump, could provide. With this final stage of giving, "the Tree was happy".
How many “giving trees” have there been in our lives - symbolic of people? People who have loved us and given of themselves in their time and energy. Although this was not to symbolize Jesus, hasn’t He given Himself to mankind and taught us; it is more blessed to give than receive?
Wasn’t it enough for Jesus to come into our world? Wasn’t it enough that He taught us how to live? Wasn’t it enough that He performed miracles? Wasn’t it enough that He taught truth from lies, morality and ethics, and purpose? But because we needed saving, He also sacrificed His life, suffering and dying for you and me.
It is at this time of the year we do some reflection, some possible goal setting and resolution making. It is good to look back and to look ahead. This is a time to look for opportunities for the New Year.
What lies ahead for you?
Application: Get in God's Word. Lay out a Bible Reading Plan for the New Year
Prayer: Lord, work in me to fully surrender my life to Your Will! "Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul".
