God has something better in store for your future

I once heard a fictional story about three trees. In a country field, the trio of small trees stood side by side. One beautiful summer morning, each tiny tree looked up to the heavens. Then, they asked themselves, “What should I be when I grow up?” Thinking long and hard, the first tree uttered, “I’d like to be a beautiful chest and hold exquisite treasures.” After a few moments, and the second lit- tle tree said, “I want to be a strong ship and carry royalty.” Finally, filled with anticipation, the third little tree declared, “I would like to grow up and be the tallest tree in the world, so when people see me they will look up and think of God.”

As years passed, the little trees grew up. The first tree was made into a cradle. It was not covered with gold, rubies, or filled with jewels, living in a palace. Rather, it was brought to a stable, and it was stuffed and covered with hay and used to feed farm animals. Yet, one evening, a bright star shone over the stable. And a young woman named Mary placed her newborn son in the feedbox. Suddenly, the first tree realized it was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

Much later, the second tree was crafted into a boat. Since the tree was too weak to sail on an ocean, it was taken to a lake. Then, a group of men crowded into the boat to go fishing. One man fell asleep on the boat. But, without warning, a huge storm came. The wind blew and the waves were so high, that water was coming into the boat, and the boat was about to sink. The second tree didn’t think it had the strength to carry the group safely through with the wind and the rain. However, the man arose. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and commanded, “Peace, be still.” And the storm subsided. All of a sudden, the second tree knew it was carrying the King of Heaven and Earth.

Humiliation whittled at its self-esteem, as the third tree felt its dreams were over and done. It never became what it had hoped. Instead, it was left alone in a lumberyard. Bombarded with negative thoughts, the tree was so depressed. “What happened to me?” the tree questioned. “All I ever wanted was to stay in the countryside, grow tall, so when people saw me they would look up and think of God.”

The third tree didn’t see how it could ever be happy again. At one time, it was strong and full of energy and joy. Now, the third tree was bitter and complaining. He began to think his life was over, and, with no purpose, he didn’t want to go on living. Yet…God had a plan. One Friday, the third tree was taken from the forgotten woodpile. And cross was made from the third tree’s largest limbs. A gentle, loving man was forced to carry the cross through an angry crowd. Tears rolled down cheeks of onlookers when soldiers nailed the innocent man’s hands to the cross. But, when the sun rose on Sunday morning, sorrow turned to joy. The third tree knew that God’s unconditional love and grace had changed the course of mankind’s future. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God… and that was far better than being the tallest tree on Earth.

Could it be, as in this fictional story that God is waiting to advance you toward His will? But could negative thoughts, emotions or bitter memories be blocking the good that God wants to bring into your life? So the next time you’re upset because you didn’t get what you wanted, or things hadn’t gone your way, be at peace. God is at work and, like this story, He is getting ready to give you something far better.