When the growing gets tough

     Being a route salesman, I am on the road quite a bit, so I see my fair share of landscape.  Lately, I have been paying more attention to trees. Contrary to popular belief, the deep south does experience seasons.  Maybe not regarding "fixed temperature" seasons, but with cooler weather and placement of the sun, the trees do change color and lose their leaves.  Having observed several areas over the course of 3 years I have enjoyed watching the shedding of leaves in the fall and regrowth in the spring, and recently it got me thinking.
     It really must be difficult being a tree.  They have to constantly grow, expand their roots, fight for their share of sunlight, and then spend 4 to 6 months out of the year completely exposed.  It certainly doesn't sound like an easy task, but are we that much different?  Well, except for the being exposed...unless you belong to a nudist colony or have a career in...... nevermind.
     The truth is we have the potential to do these things, but seldom is that potential realized.  To quote Larry Winget, "Humans are the only species on the planet that don't live up to their full potential.  A tree doesn't grow 6 feet tall and then say, 'You know what? I think I'm good where I am at.' No. A tree grows as tall as it can grow."  Can you argue with him?  And then add all the advantages we have over trees, mainly our ability to choose.  Trees can't choose where they are planted, they can't choose how often they receive nourishment, and they can't choose their neighbors!  They simply have to do the best with what they are given, and they do.

     We, on the other hand, can choose where to live, how often we eat and what, and many other things that add to our comfort.  And how often do we do our best?  How often do we strive to grow into better versions of ourselves?  How often are we given everything we need accomplish these two tasks I have mentioned?  We all know the answer, we just don't want to accept it.
     Grace.  I forget where I heard this, but it is the best definition of grace I have come across.  I was listening to a sermon on God's grace and mercy. The main idea was this: Grace is when God gives you something that you do not deserve.  Mercy is when God does not give you something that you do deserve.  When I heard that, it sank in rather quickly!

     All of us have "fallen short" if you get my meaning.  But what gives us a fighting chance is the grace and mercy of God's love.  Just as a tree receiving limited sunlight in the winter, we too sometimes move ourselves away from God. And just as a ray of sunlight can shine down upon the bare branches of tree and encourage springtime growth, God's grace and mercy can shine down upon us, giving us the encouragement to do better.  Ok, so His mercy and grace are always shining down, we just may be having a "the future's so bright I've gotta wear shades" moment.
     As a tree does its best to grow towards the sunlight, we should make our most valiant effort to grow towards God.

2 Peter 3:17-18 

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”