Almost ten years ago our area received a visit from Hurricane Ike. Today you can still see the impact that before storm had on both trees and telephone poles. Both of these are made of wood and some are still standing with the effects still showing. While some of the electricity poles are still leaning, many of the trees that were once leaning are now erect with new growth directed towards the heavens. The difference is that the old wooden poles that are planted in the ground have no life, and the old wooden trees planted in the ground have life and are focused on the things above. After the storms of life pass over us, do we find new life and keep our focus on the higher calling?
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.