Yesterday morning the following scripture hooked my spirit:
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a river bank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
I began thinking and wondering whether or not my faith and confidence is in God or in the world and then my mind slowly gravitated to a moment that took place over twenty years ago…
During my years of practicing pharmacy I came across thousands and thousands of different types of human beings faced with various forms of disease and physical challenges. The people I remember most were the people Jeremiah is talking about in the scripture above. People who I knew had deep roots of faith. People whose leaves were always green, regardless of the battle they were fighting.
One of my all-time favorite patients was a man named Merlin. When I first met Merlin, he was in the final stages of pancreatic cancer. His physical appearance reflected this, but his mental and spiritual presence said something different.
Merlin was receiving infusion pain medication from us and once a week I would make it a point to deliver his medicine to him in person just so I could talk and spend some time with him. He was someone I enjoyed being around.
The last time I visited Merlin, which was just a few days before his passing, he looked me in the eyes and said, “Jay do you believe in salvation?” I said, “Yes I do Merlin.” He said, “I figured, but just wanted to make sure.”
Right until the end, Merlin’s leaves were green and still producing fruit…
How green are your leaves?
Are you producing fruit regardless of what life is throwing at you?
Are you someone whom others like to be around?
It all comes down to where you place your trust, hope and confidence.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
