Several years ago, we traveled to Iceland, an island of fire and ice. And because of this unique combination, tourists see stunning formations, cascading waterfalls, volcano peaks, and glaciers that dot the landscape.
Staying in a small home, we ventured out to a grocery to buy supplies and noticed a good amount of fruit, including bananas. Being far away from warm climates, I was not surprised about the expense of those. But, on an excursion, our tour guide showed us many greenhouses that use geothermal heat to provide warmth in order to grow many things locally, including vegetables and fruit.
Doing a little more research, I realized that bananas do grow in the greenhouses, but they need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day to bear their fruit. That’s not always going to happen in
Iceland. The fruit that the trees bear is small and takes about 2 years to mature, versus about 2 months at the equator. It’s not really their home.
Sometimes like those banana trees in Iceland, I don’t feel like I am home. Sometimes this world is just hard. Difficult. Not very joyful. I find myself yearning for my future home. Like banana trees yearn for the sun.
The song, If I Stand, by Rich Mullins, has a few stanzas that are so applicable –
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can’t, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
We do owe our allegiance to our Lord, the giver of all good things. But that stuff of earth sure does compete for our loyalty, doesn’t it. And it weighs on us like gloomy, sunless days. And we long for something different, something eternal.
But, God knitted us together and placed us right here and right now to work for him. And if those banana trees in Iceland can bear fruit, so can we.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
So – stand on the promise that He will pull you through. Don’t let the stuff of earth transform you. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do that Bible study. Sign up for Vacation Bible School. Go on that mission trip. Write someone an encouraging note.
C S Lewis once said, “Aim for Heaven and you’ll get earth thrown in.” If we are busy aiming for heaven – about our Father’s business, and bearing fruit – earth will be a joyful place to be.
