"Reading the Redwoods: Never Too Old"

“Reading the Redwoods”

“Never Too Old”

 

One of the highlights of the “redwood forest” is the General Sherman, the most massive of these great trees. It’s estimated to be 3800 years old (meaning it was a seedling around the time of Abraham’s death) and when we saw it in 1997 it was about 272 feet tall, 36 feet in diameter, 115 feet in circumference, and weighed some 6000 tons. If it were cut into lumber (perish the thought!) 35 five-room houses could be built. But immense as it is, it’s still growing—in fact, we learned it’s one of the fastest growing trees in the world! Mind-boggling, isn’t it?

Now imagine the General had a brain and after 3700 years said, “I’m big enough. I think I’ll stop growing and take it easy.” Had that been possible we’d never have had the privilege of viewing it. It would have died because as long as a plant is alive it grows and/or produces in some way.

We as God’s people can fall into the trap of reaching a point in our journey where we feel we’ve “arrived” at maturity in our faith and can coast along until He takes us to Heaven. While age and health may bring about certain changes in how we learn and serve, it’s God’s intention that we continue to grow in these areas as long as He provides the wherewithal to do so. In 2 Peter 3:18 the Lord’s friend and disciple writes to His followers who were challenged by persecution and false teaching, “Continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Literal translation). But lest we think we can reach a certain point and stop Paul reminds us, “…that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). To take some liberties with a TV commercial, we’re to keep growing and growing and growing and….

We’re never too old to grow and be used of God (Noah was 500 when he was told to build the ark, Moses 80 when he was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Abraham 75 when he answered God’s call to go to a new place). Let’s let the General challenge us to keep on.

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan