The Acorn

By Wendy Duckworth Vance

All too often we look around for these jaw dropping miracles such as the sudden eradication of hunger or Covid-19. It is these big signs in which we believe that God manifests Himself, when this does not happen we begin to doubt. We doubt God because he has not given out this perfect existence with no hurt, no pain. We doubt ourselves, the purpose for which we were created because we feel so crushed under foot by the wounds that life inflicts. In the midst of searching and expecting this giant miracle we miss the small ones that are present in our everyday walk. Those small things that show us that God is alive and well and loves us with all His heart. We forget that He created us with a purpose.

God tells the Jewish people through the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This was in reference to the coming Babylonian captivity. Despite the coming calamity, God told His people that he continued to have a purpose planned for them. This purpose would be carried out despite adversity. And God kept His word, brought His people out of captivity and brought salvation to the whole world, through the Jewish people in the form of Yeshua. Applying this verse to people in the current day, He did not say that I created some of you or that I gave some a purpose. He said you, yes you reading this message. This is each person that has ever been born as He created all things. He created all things for a purpose, no matter how fragile, poor, oppressed or downtrodden you are, He created you for a purpose.

Look at the humble acorn, it is not the smallest of the seeds, but it is fragile, it can so easily be crushed under foot or stolen away by a small animal for stores for the winter months ahead. But that one acorn that takes root, deep in the soil, soaking up the nutrients and drinking deeply the water from heaven to grow to a mighty oak. Look at its branches, reaching to the sky, they praise Almighty God with their splendor that has been painted by His hand. As the wind blows through the leaves, the mighty oak gives a shout of praise. For even this tiny acorn was created for a purpose. So fragile at its start but with the Lord’s care see how mighty it becomes, useful for so many things – paper for learning, beams for building shelter and framing the bed on which we sleep.

But most importantly it is a testimony to the Lord God. It says that anyone, even you who feels that you are broken in mind and/or body, have a purpose for which the Lord has created you. You may be feeling that God had no purpose for you. You may feel abandoned or ashamed due to past experience with “religion” or false teachings that your disability is a mark of sin or lack of faith but this just isn’t the truth. When Yeshua (Jesus)’ disciples asked “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2, did Yeshua respond that he sinned and that his disability makes him worthless – no He did not! Instead, “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9:3. Yeshua healed this man and he became a testimony to the power of the Living God. Or what of the boy in Matthew 17 who had seizures, did Yeshua say that it was his lack of faith or the father’s lack of faith that caused him to not be healed by the disciples? Again the answer is no. When he was asked by the disciples why they could not heal the boy, Yeshua replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20.

It was lack of faith on behalf of the one praying for healing and not the one wanting to be healed. So do not be discouraged in your disability, you are beautiful, you are loved, and you were created with a purpose just as the acorn. You too, can be as the mighty oak, praising God, being a messenger for His goodness, showing that He is the provider of “God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” Philippians 4:7. There is a powerful witness in living for God despite adversity, and what greater purpose can any of us have than to praise the Lord and to spread for His lovingkindness and His free gift of salvation. Today I invite to put your roots deep into the Word, to feed on the fertile soil of the Gospel and to drink of the Living Water that grants eternal life. Become the mighty oak that you are meant to be, for you were created of God just as you are, dearly loved and with a purpose.