The newspaper article told of a family in our neighborhood who had chopped down two gorgeous flowering trees growing in their front yard. The trees were unsafe to nearby pedestrians during snow and ice storms. Also, the trunks had become a stash point for stolen items. As their way of giving back to the neighborhood what they had taken, the family got creative. In honour of their First Nations street name, they hired artists to do some native carvings on the remaining 5 ft. trunks. As a result, they were inundated by curious passers-by wanting a closer look at the artwork and a chance to hear the accompanying story.

The Spirit’s careful, creative use of the “light affliction” tool allows our clay jars to shine with the light of the glorious Gospel. Wishing to become an ornate stump or pining to be the gorgeous tree that once was merely hides that radiance. He formed us, and, if we allow Him, He renews us daily. Nothing except our selfish will can keep Christ’s power from resting on us, and only the Lord knows if we could serve Him better as a tree or a stump.

2 Cor. 4