Devotions
THE CROSS IS MY TROUBLE TREE
The Apostle Paul wrote some very practical advise in the fourth chapter of Philippians.
- Philippianss 4:8 – Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
The conclusion of that passage for me is there is always more than one way to look at a situation. It’s like the Painter, Pastor and Cowboy all looking over this massive canyon and each one verbalizing his observation.
- The Painter – I’d love to paint a picture of this
- The Pastor – Glory to God, look at what He has created
- The Cowboy – I’d sure hate to lose a cow down there
What do you see when you look at your situation – an illustration of God’s handiwork, or just someplace to lose a cow. Many years ago someone shared a story with me that drives this point home. Here’s the jist of it….
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. He had a flat tire, his electric saw quit, and his pickup wouldn’t start – so I took him home. He invited me in to meet his family, but as we walked to the front door he paused briefly at a small tree touching a branch with both hands. When he opened the door – what a change in attitude. He was all smiles with his children hugging and loving on them and his wife. When he walked me to the car I asked him about what I had seen.
He said – Oh that’s my trouble tree – I can’t help having troubles on the job – but they don’t belong in my house with my family. So I hang them there every night. And the amazing thing is when I come to pick them up in the morning – there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.
I like that - I think I need to find me a trouble tree. Or maybe I already have one in the form of a cross. That’s where my biggest trouble was handled. And now everything looks so much different, so much better. I think we could all use that trouble tree.
