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 A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Thursday, March 6, 2025 |
| This Tree Jeremiah 17:7-8 The streets echo with the sharp yelps of ambulances, the piercing cries of police sirens, and the blaring horns of impatient cars. Trash bags pile high, stinking of sour milk and damp cardboard. People pound the sidewalks and jostle for space as they cross streets. The sun fights its way between the skyscrapers. The concrete urban jungle hums along – just another Manhattan afternoon. But there’s something out of place in this scene. Drowned in the rush and busyness of the city, it slips past unnoticed – overlooked, forgotten. And yet, it matters, greatly. Standing all by itself, covered with a concrete grate at its sidewalk base, is a single tree. A single, strong, healthy tree. It reaches high up the side of the skyscraper. Its branches stretch out long and sway carelessly in the wind. Birds perch on its limbs, chirping and singing to one another. Its leaves are countless, big, and radiant. It doesn’t belong here. Yet it does. And it’s beautiful. How has it survived all this time? How has it thrived? This tree doesn’t care it’s not planted along a river, or in Central Park with other trees, or in a suburban backyard. This tree accepts where God has planted it on this busy Manhattan sidewalk, often disregarded, unappreciated, and neglected. This tree knows it has been created, planted, and loved by God. Exactly where it is, this tree trusts in God and has made God its hope and confidence. It knows that whatever storms, droughts, or loneliness it encounters, God will always be with it as it continues to grow tall, strong, and beautiful, a haven for the city birds. And perhaps, just perhaps, someone rushing past will pause, even for a moment, and notice it. They’ll see this tree flourishing, not because of where it stands, but because of where its roots are planted. This tree stands as a quiet testament – steady, unwavering, and deeply rooted in something far greater than the city that surrounds it. Where has God planted you today? Are you trusting him to be with you and lead you on your journey, even in unexpected places? By Marnie K Vasquez PRAYER FOR TODAY God, thank you for the roots you have given us as you planted us in this world. Help us to thrive, help our roots find their way to your source. Sustain us and strengthen us in the shifting seasons of life. Help us trust in you for hope and confidence. As we grow in faith, help us to be shade for those around us, and provide fruit for others to enjoy. Make our lives a testament to your work of grace and renewal in all things. The reflections in this collection are offered as a guide to deepen our understanding of God’s grace, to consider the places Jesus walked in his day, and to renew our commitment to our spiritual journey. We begin at the river (March 5 – 8), a theme that echoes throughout the Bible and speaks directly to our path of reflection and renewal. Rivers, in their varied forms, represent life, cleansing, and transformative passage. They can be seen as sources of divine provision or instruments of judgment and chaos. During this season of Lent, we are invited to contemplate the flowing currents of our lives, to examine where we find life-giving sustenance, where we need purification, and what transitions God calls us to make. May these readings guide us toward a deeper understanding of and connection with Jesus. Sincerely, The Journey Team |
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