Stay Fresh
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." Psalm 92:12-15
Insight
If your social media newsfeed is anything like mine, you know that school is out for summer. Almost every post I come across is end of the school year related. It might be someone in a cap and gown or pictures of a graduation party. Then there are those shots of kids grinning from ear to ear, knowing there's no more homework, tests, or assemblies for quite a while.
My favorite photos are those side-by-side ones that document how much a kid sprung up from the first day of school to the last. They are always shocking to me. As a parent of two girls, one of whom just graduated high school, I know how fast time flies by.
The growth and changes that occur often aren't noticeable when you're in the thick of "life." But then, in a blink of an eye, they're teenagers preparing to leave your roof and head off to the real world.
We often take for granted the moments we have. You don't have to be a parent to understand this reality. In some regards, we spend our days as if we're going to live forever.
Thinking about the legacy we will leave behind gets lost in the shuffle of our day-to-day demands. Time happens with minimal intention on our part. Very few of us have a long-term view of the man or woman we want to become, myself included.
Rather than flourish, we flounder. Instead of direction, we drift. Today's passage stands in stark contrast to what we tend to experience. One can read these words and feel a sense of vibrancy. New growth continually springs up.
So, it begs the question: How does one still bear fruit at an old age? By planting seeds right now, and consistently over time. Instead of counting our days, we should live in such a way that makes our days count. It's showing up in every moment and being obedient to those thousand little things. It entails having fresh eyes to see the numerous opportunities presented to us daily to grow and stretch our faith.
Continual obedience over time inevitably leads to our faith developing deep roots. With our hearts staying connected to our source for vitality, Jesus Christ, we will thrive. And when we turn around and look at the steps taken, we'll witness what it looks like to be a student of God's grace.
Reflection
How can you plant seeds today that will enable you to bear fruit at an old age?
Prayer
God, thank you for planting Your purpose deep within me. I pray that Your love and forgiveness will bloom in how I spend my days. I rest in knowing that my security comes from You and You alone. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.