Just a few weeks ago, as we celebrated our church’s anniversary, we had multiple sermons with one theme in common: to pass on the faith from one generation to the next. Even before this service, we had the blessing of experiencing it on multiple occasions. But I believe our church members have become more passionate about passing on the faith.
This past Friday, we had an event at Nova Southeastern University with the goal of inviting new students to our church. At first, we planned on ordering food. But after the news spread about this event, we ended up having several volunteers willing to cook for this group. It’s not preaching the gospel, but it’s faith displayed through sacrificial love.
There is a worship song called “Planting trees” by Andrew Peterson. Through the illustration of planting trees, the author tells us that passing on the faith has the same concept as in planting trees. The verse says, “We chose this spot. We dug the hole. We laid the maples in the ground to have and hold. As autumn falls, to winter sleep, we pray that somehow in the spring the roots grow deep.” And here is the best part of the song, “So many years from now, long after we are gone, these trees will spread their branches out and bless the dawn.”
You and I are temporarily living on earth; one day, we will return to dust. Nevertheless, even if we will be gone, may faith remain in the generations to come like a planted tree with its branches and fruits.