Like The Tree
LIKE THE TREE
Read 2 Timothy 2:19-22.
“Mom,” called Jackson, “Dad and I are going for a hike.”
“All right,” said Mom. “Have fun.”
So off they went, just the two “men” of the family. Jackson, his two younger sisters, and their parents were spending a weekend by Lake Michigan, and Jackson loved those hikes with his dad. Today he had an important question.
“Can people tell just by looking at you that you’re a Christian?” he asked. “My Sunday school teacher said that people look at our lives.”
“Good question,” said Dad. “See that sand dune with all the trees growing on it? Does any one tree catch your eye?”
“Hmmm,” said Jackson as he looked at the trees. “Oh, the one growing sideways on the slope stands out.”
Dad nodded. “You picked out that tree because it was different. When people see what you do, they should see that you’re different.”
“Different in what ways?” asked Jackson.
Dad answered, “Maybe you hear kids using bad language. Or maybe someone asks you to go to an R-rated movie. God doesn’t want you to do those things. He wants you to be different.”
“Oh, I get it!” exclaimed Jackson. “If I don’t do things that are wrong, people will notice.”
“That’s right. But even if everyone doesn’t notice, remember that you’re pleasing God. And that’s most important.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Can people tell that you’re a Christian by looking at the things you do? They can’t if they see cheating, bad language, disobedience, or lying. Instead, let them see honesty, kindness, love, and patience. Let them see that you are different for Jesus.
TO MEMORIZE:
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
2 Corinthians 6:17
BE DIFFERENT FOR JESUS.
From the book
