Some Thoughts

(On Divine Providence.)

Have you ever heard an expression like, “Don’t spend so much! Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know!”

I was thinking the other day that, while money doesn’t grow on trees food does. We creatures need food and water to survive. Where shall we go? How can we survive? How will we keep from starvation–or even hunger? Oh, don’t worry about that: food grows on trees, and it’s within reach. Yeah, that’s right: It grows on trees. It’s plentiful and available and it always grows back–so help yourself. Getting hungry? Grab that apple that’s dangling easily within your reach. Oh, you don’t like apples? Alright, have a banana. Don’t like bananas? That’s ok: try an orange. Or a plum. Or a pomegranate. Or a mango. Or watermelon. Or grapes. Or some pineapple. Maybe a coconut. Or a…

Are you with me here? It grows on trees! An abundance of colors and shapes and sizes and flavors of food–all grows on trees, and grows out of the ground, too. It comes to us from every direction. Need something to eat? Hold on, there’s food growing underground for you right now. Just wait a bit, dig it up, and then eat it. From above, beside, and below, we’re being served wonderful delicacies not only for our nourishment, but for our enjoyment. There are “desserts” as well as “side dishes” as well as “appetizers” as well as “main courses,” you know–all growing on trees and springing up from the ground.

So, why is that?

What’s that? You’re thirsty? Oh, don’t worry about that. Soon enough some of that absolutely-vital-to-our-existence liquid will just…fall from the sky. Yeah; it actually pours all over us and everything else quite frequently. You know, so we don’t get dehydrated. It’s pretty cool, actually. It’s really more like, “water, water everywhere–and tons of drops to drink!” Just be patient; it’ll come. (And it’ll be “filtered,” too, by the way.)

But again, why is that?

Some people claim that we Christians base our convictions on a blind leap of faith based on a significant (or even complete) lack of evidence. On the contrary, we are absolutely bathed in every kind of evidence–everything is infallible proof that God exists (‘Infallible!?’ you object? Check out Rom. 1:20, ESV [show] [20]For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV)
). We are completely submerged in evidence for our absolute and personal God.

So, next time someone ridicules you for believing in God “without any evidence,” just chuckle and say, “Dude; food grows on trees.” (Not a plausible argument, you might say? Consider Acts 14:15-17, ESV [show] [15]"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. [16]In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. [17]Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (ESV)
].)

Thank you, Lord, that, even though money doesn’t grow on trees, food does.