Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

“This giant oak tree is what gave Oak Park its name,” the tour guide told the kids on their field trip. Elijah listened attentively. He loved history and learning things like this.

Back home later that day, Elijah told his mom about the tour. “That big oak tree survived the Civil War, a flood, and six fires,” he said.

“Wow!” said Mom. “That’s amazing.”

“It kept on growing,” said Elijah, “even though the odds were a hundred to one against it. The oak is one of the slowest-growing trees in the world, but it’s also one of the strongest. It survives things that cause other trees to die.”

“Hmm,” said Mom. “You know, Elijah, you’re something like that tree.”

Elijah was surprised. “Me? I didn’t survive a war or a flood or even one fire—let alone six!”

Mom laughed. “No, but I still think you’re like that tree.”

“How?” asked Elijah.

“Well,” said Mom, “for one thing, the oak grows slowly, and you—”

Elijah interrupted her. “You always say I’m growing up too fast!”

Mom smiled. “That’s true—physically. But I was thinking of the way most of us grow spiritually. As Christians, it’s often easy to wonder if we’re making any progress in becoming more like Jesus.”

Elijah nodded as he recalled some trouble he’d gotten into recently.

“You may grow slowly in Christ,” said Mom, “but like that oak, you do grow steadily. And you survive worse things than war or floods. You survive attacks from Satan and struggles with temptation.”

“But I still do wrong things,” Elijah pointed out.

Mom nodded. “I know—I do too. All Christians give in to temptation and sin sometimes. But the fact that you feel bad when you sin—and that you don’t want to do it again—shows that you’re continuing to grow.”

“Really?” Elijah smiled. “That’s pretty cool.”

“Have faith that God is working to make you grow to be more like Jesus,” Mom told him. “Keep working with Him by admitting when you sin and trusting Him to help you change your habits—even when the growing gets tough!”

–Nathan Runyon