A young man once observed a man in his 80’s planting a new apple orchard. The old man was carefully tending the soil, nourishing and watering the little saplings. The curious young man asked, “You don’t really expect to eat fruit from those trees do you?” “No.” Replied the old man, “But someone will.”
The old man was determined to use his remaining days doing something that would make a difference. He had what it took to make the best possible use of his time.
As you consider your schedule today, what will you do that will make a difference. Is there something you can invest your time in today that will outlive you? The old man in the orchard knew he would never taste the apples he was planting, yet he found a sense of fulfillment in planting them because he knew others would enjoy the fruit of his labors.
In the Book of James, the Bible exhorts us to “make a difference.” It’s how we redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
