Earlier this month, my husband and I visited New York City. The ultimate tourists, we took in a concert at Madison Square Garden, two Broadway plays, a walking food tour through Greenwich Village, and a Yankees game.
One of the highlights of our time in Manhattan was the four hours we spent Sunday afternoon exploring Central Park. Although we did not plan it, our trip coincided with the blooming of the cherry trees.
The first cherry trees planted in Central Park were brought from Japan about 100 years ago. Today, two different varieties stand on a gentle slope named Cherry Hill, overlooking a large lake. People come to admire the blooms and relax on the scenic hillside.
Year after year, the trees bloom in season. Year after year, the people enjoy their beauty.
The site of the blooming cherry trees reminded me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture. The very first psalm likens those who delight themselves in God’s Word to a tree that bears its fruit each season.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners of sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3, NIV
Those Central Park cherry trees don’t worry about whether they will bloom and produce fruit each year. Yet they do because their location provides everything they need to fulfill their God-ordained purpose. Their roots soak up water and nutrients from the surrounding soil. The result is beautiful and fruitful.
We don’t have to worry whether our lives will be of use to God or benefit others. If we simply “plant” ourselves in God’s Word and soak it in, He will fulfill His purposes in and through us.
Green leaves. Beautiful blossoms. Nourishing fruit. The natural result of a life rooted in God’s Word.
Where are you planted? Do the roots of your life go deep into the eternal truths of God’s Word? What can you do to purposefully grown your roots deep into His Word?
Oh Kathy! As always a delight to read your writings! But this is one of my favorite scriptures! The truths of it are so evident! What a lovely place to see! Rich American treasures!
Helen, thanks for coming by! I love this Scripture too! It popped in my mind when I saw this gorgeous tree!