How would you like to have a Christmas tree that blooms in your front yard
every December?
"Impossible!" You might say.
Still such a tree does indeed exist. The of New Zealand announces the arrival of
Christmas every year by producing an abundance of bright red flowers from
November to January. No wonder it is commonly called "the Christmas Tree" in New
Zealand!
The Pohutukawa tree is quite a robust tree. Not only can it withstand heavy
coastal winds, storms and saltwater spray, it also grounds itself in the stony
ground with a thousand aerial roots. It literally cannot be shaken! The 800 year
old tree clinging on the cliff of Cape Reinga is a typical example!
We are reminded at Christmas time what Mary faced when it was announced to her
that although she was a virgin, she would be bearing a child. The very words of
the angel were: "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)
I love Mary's reaction. Instead of unbelief or utter resistance, she simply
declared: "I am the Lord's servant... May it be to me as you have said." (Luke
1:38 NIV)
She, too, had to face turbulent weather when her fiancé doubted her purity. But
she came through victoriously. Any why not? After all, God was with her!
Jesus reminds us also: "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke
18:27 NIV)
Too often we limit God with our unbelief. We worry way too often and label many
of our situations as "impossible" to resolve. I have news my friends! God
specializes in the "impossible!"
The secret to experiencing God fully in this manner is in becoming like the New
Zealand Christmas tree, which blooms brightly during the entire Christmas
season, even though its existence is often mired with "impossible"
circumstances. It never doubts its survival. It's firmly rooted on the rock!
We can also face our "impossible" situations if we remain rooted on the Rock!
(See Luke 6:48) We can stand unabashed in the storms of our life because we are
anchored on the One whose specializes in impossibilities. No need to worry, no
need to fret, no need to be discouraged. God is with us! "They will call him
Immanuel-which means, 'God with us.'" (Matt 1:23 NIV)
This is the real Christmas message. God is with us and because of this, we can
expect miracles!
To experience Him fully however, we need to be grounded in the rock. Or in other
words, we need to let Jesus be our Lord in life. We need to let Him be in
control of all of our decisions: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man
remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do
nothing." (John 15:5-6 NIV)
If we do, we will never be the same again, and we will start to bloom like the
Pohutukawa tree. Bright red flowers will sprout, and they will remain not only
for the Christmas season, but throughout our lives for eternity: "But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control." (Gal 5:22-23 NIV)
Let us be the living Christmas trees
that God wants us to be! Let God transform
us in blooming individuals
who can face the impossible.
We do indeed have a bright future with God at our side, "For nothing is
impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) Let's not be distracted by the storms of life
that are temporary. Instead, let's concentrate on the eternal.
Be what God would like you to be!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.