"You Can Be Evergreen"

One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in Psalm 1.  The writer talks about the blessed man (women are included, too).  I especially love verse 3 where the writer compares the blessed man to a tree.  

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3 NKJV 

This person finds pleasure in God’s word; she allows it to marinate in her heart continuously.  Because of this, she is established (like a tree); she has a personal irrigation system (rivers of water); she is productive and remains evergreen. 

What beautiful imagery! 

What does it mean to be evergreen?   

Evergreen - Having foliage that remains green and functional throughout all seasons. (Merriam Webster Dictionary) 

Well, I hate to burst your bubble; but if you’re like me, sometimes you feel anything but evergreen.  We don’t always delight in God’s word.  We don’t meditate on it like we should.  To be totally honest, we often look more like the chaff (Psalm 1:4) than the tree.   

However, there is good news!  God never leaves us to fend for ourselves.  Jesus said in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” Wow!  God is the gardener of our hearts, and we have a direct connection to Jesus.  Our connection to Jesus is our life source to becoming evergreen.  The enemy would have you only focus on how often you’ve fallen short.  When you do that, you tend to hang your head low.  Beautiful, I encourage you today to LOOK UP.  Look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith.  As you do, your focus will change from your failures, to the victory you have in Jesus.  Look to Jesus for nourishment from His vine.  Allow God, your gardener to tend your roots as they begin to run deep in Him—then you will truly be evergreen. 

PRAYER:  God, what a faithful gardener you are.  Help us to stay connected to the Vine, who is Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Help us to reflect to the world what it really looks like to be blessed.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen