I’m still hung up on those trees…
As I looked out on the trees laying by our deck — we might be looking at that tree carnage a long time — I thought about how the downing of those trees changed our landscape, our view. We used to look out on the one tree and remark about how it obstructed our view of the front field. We had planned to take it down eventually, but it’s still a little sad that it’s gone along with the tree beside it. Just as the view looking toward the field is different, the view from the barn looking at the house, is quite different too. Very open.
Those fallen trees used to shield the house and gave the yard a neatish border. When we finish the work that the wind began, we will be sky-wide open on the east side. I know it will have its benefits, but it makes me feel a little naked on the west, a little unprotected, a little vulnerable. I will miss those trees. I loved them. Our view has changed. Oh, it’s not the end of the world, they are trees, renewable resources. Of course, new growth will take a bit. Trees are slow growers. Still, it looks a little different.
The Bible is full of changing scenery. The change of landscape, the change of the lay of the land, is not always a bad thing.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham, as well as Isaac and Jacob, were called to change scenery. To view a new landscape. No doubt they felt vulnerable, I mean come on, they were living in tents! Furthermore, or maybe most importantly, they had no idea where they were going. At God’s call to each of them, they obeyed and went, though they didn’t know fully what the landscape would look like. They trusted.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
Exodus 14:21-22
Talk about a change of scenery! From wet to dry. From floatable to walkable. From vulnerable to safety. From death to life. The powerful hand of God changed life’s landscape for the Israelites. The powerful hand of God can change life’s landscape for us too. Not only can He, He will. Isaiah foretold.
Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth—so wonderful that no one will even think about the old pones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy.
Isaiah 65:17-18
New heavens and a new earth. Talk about a change of scenery.
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God.
2 Peter 3:13
Peter speaks Isaiah, and John speaks Jesus Christ, through God, from an angel. It’s a message for all time.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw a Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
Wow. A new earth. A Godly earth. Talk about a landscape change. A re-recreation. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to that new view. It might be a little dicey getting to the new view, but…a new earth. No more pain, no more hurting, no more hate, no more violence, no more killing, no more anger, no more evil, no more lostness, no more fighting, no more suffering, no more…a new earth. The scenery will change. God will live with us! Think about that for a minute. It’s certainly a different perspective, isn’t it? Isn’t that something to look forward to?
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
There’s only one way to experience that new view, that new scenery, by confessing that Jesus is Lord. Oh sure, confessing is humbling, it makes us feel vulnerable, exposed, but what do you want your eternal view to be? This world will definitely pass away, it is temporary. It’s in The Book. But just like our fathers before, trusting in Him, the One who will live among us for all eternity, throughout the changing scenery of our life, will enable us to experience an eternal view…Why wouldn’t we want that?