Big Visions Take a Lot of Hard Work – Nov 13, 2022
Krista’s Reflection “Big Visions Take a Lot of Hard Work”
Based on Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19
November 13, 2022
MESSAGE: God gives us a big vision for our lives. It isn’t always easy. It may take a very long time. But if we have faith and work hard, we can contribute to it, even if it happens beyond our lifetime.
STORY: “The Big Oak Tree” by Krista
“Grandpa, tell me a story!” A little boy sat with his grandpa under a big oak tree.
His grandpa thought for a moment. There were many stories he could tell!
Then he said,
“When I was a little boy I sat under this same tree. And it was much older than me, at least 103! And wider than 10 of me!”
The boy’s eyes grew wider. He tried to stretch his arms around the tree But it was impossible!
The grandpa explained:
“This tree was planted when my grandfather was born… When there were waggons instead of trucks, and schoolhouses with bells, and people wore their Sunday’s best and women’s skirts swished when they stepped down from carriages…”
His grandpa was busy dreaming…
“And everyone sat together at the supper table, and there were fresh baked pies with steam still coming off them And food made hot and delicious by my grandmother, and everyone bowed their heads thankful just to be alive!”
The boy interrupted, “Grandpa, what do you mean they were thankful just to be alive?”
The little boy was very inquisitive.
“Oh well, that’s another story,” he said, “where my grandparents came from there was a lot of war and fighting. They escaped with their lives. They travelled on a big ship across the ocean and came here to start a new life.”
The boy interrupted again. “But Grandpa, wasn’t that scary?”
The grandpa nodded “Yes it was, but they had a big dream, and they were very brave.”
Grandpa realized this was a very big story and he better get to the point quickly! He said,
“They wanted their children to be safe and have freedom.”
Then the grandpa looked up at the big oak tree.
“My father sat under this same tree, just like you and me. And he had a big dream too. He wanted to move to the big city and run a successful business.”
“Did he?” The boy looked up into his grandfather’s eyes.
“Oh yes he did! He went and worked very hard and made a life for himself and his new family – me and my brother and sister.”
“Then what happened?”
“Then I grew up and heard stories of where my father grew up And I wanted to live there and raise my family. And so I came here, and this is where your father was born!”
The boy laughed with glee.
Then his grandpa paused. “And now I am old like this tree.”
The boy looked up at his grandpa and felt a little sad. “Grandpa I don’t ever want to move away from you or this tree.”
The grandpa reassured him, “You will, because dreams will always take you somewhere new, and big dreams are worth living for…”
Then he looked down at the boy and said, “Don’t worry, you can always come back to visit me.”
“Grandpa, I am very lucky to be alive and have a grandpa like you.”
The boy hugged his grandfather and tried to put his arms around him, but he was so big it was impossible too!
His grandpa laughed and they walked back to the house.
That night, the boy fell asleep and dreamed that he grew up and become as big as the oak tree, and his branches stretched out far across the horizon, much farther than he could ever dream or imagine…
And he knew this was a very big dream to dream, and he smiled in his sleep.
REFLECTION
When the Israelites heard what the prophet Isaiah was saying about new heavens and a new earth, they must have thought he was crazy!
A land where men will live as long as the oldest tree? Where 100 years old will seem like a youth (at Gilford: like Keith?) And the wolf will eat alongside the lamb and the lion alongside an ox… And children will live in safety and freedom?
God’s dream for us is so big it might seem impossible – too big to wrap our heads around – Like the boy trying to wrap his arms around that big oak tree – Impossible!
But with faith, hard work and dedication, and the passing of time, big dreams really can come to pass…
STORY: VANCOUVER ISLAND:
When I was a little girl we visited Vancouver Island. And there were these huge redwoods towering above me with trunks as wide as a boat, we were told one of them was over 800 years old! The trees were so big, so pristine, so alive, they seemed like majestic, ancient beings…
My seven-year-old brain could not fathom how that was possible that I was only alive for seven years And something existed hundreds of years before I was born, and would likely still be standing LONG after I was gone… It was a pretty humbling experience, even for a seven-year-old!
It was as impossible seeming as the stars hanging in the sky or the greatest mountain peaks, how did they get there? What existed before I existed and what will come after me?
MESSAGE:
Big Dreams are like that – hard to fathom. And they may take a long time, Sometimes we don’t even get to see them in our lifetime.
The biggest dreams are God-sized dreams, and they take even longer. like that big old oak tree, or the majestic redwood cedar it may take hundreds or even thousands of years to grow and mature.
STORY:
Apparently the oldest tree on Vancouver island is estimated at 3500 years old – that’s over a thousand years before Jesus was born, at the time of King David
Think about that for a moment!
The grandpa in the story today, like many of us, had happy memories But those happy memories were first someone else’s dream. His wonderful childhood was his ancestor’s greatest hope. His life was something they had to struggle and leave a war-torn country for, sacrifice for, work hard for and keep believing for, despite hardships, crop failures, hard winters, and uncertainty.
There were many interruptions to the fulfilment of his glorious dream.
MESSAGE:
The new heavens and the new Earth are like that
A little beyond our grasp.
Like it will never happen in our lifetime.
But I think God gives us glimpses,
and each generation has its own version of heaven on earth.
EXAMPLES:
Like the war ending on V day
And the abolition of slavery.
And old frictions mending between countries,
And enemies becoming friends again.
Or Communities of faith like Churchill Gilford working together in good times and bad with laughter and learning at Bible study flipping steaks at barbecues and baking cakes for bake sales Having a successful harvest season
Celebrating babies and baptisms, And new grandchildren, a new generation Helping teens get support so they can have hope and a future. Making happy memories for families at Christmas (and year-round), And attending the Christmas concert with our favourite carols.
This might be one version of heaven on earth for us. Where the little things lead to the big things And years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears Lead to rewards, joys, and happy memories for all.
We all get a glimpse sometimes. And each life contributes to the big dream of the whole.
GOSPEL:
Jesus gives us a glimpse in his Gospel. Of love and peace and tolerance for our foes. But he knows it will take a long time. And there will be war, pain, and suffering.
He was preparing his disciples for a very big dream, A God-sized dream worth living and dying for. Where a wolf and a lamb like two opposite groups Israel and Palestine Might graze together in the same field.
It may not happen in our lifetime, but like that big oak tree, the dream will grow, and like the redwood cedars, it may take hundreds or even thousands of years. That’s nothing in God’s time.
The new heavens and new earth are just beyond our grasp. And for that big vision of love and peace and tolerance to grow we will have to have a lot of faith And instill that faith in our children and our children’s children so those dreams can come to fruition.
COMMISSION/CHALLENGE:
So what does your new heaven and new earth look like? What is the dream God put in your ancestors? Your family? Your children? What is still in you today that is worth living and dying for?
Don’t give up dreaming or hoping, Your life is like a 100 rings in that giant cedar, but it contributes to the whole.
God‘s great plan for us will come true. We all get to play a part in creating it.
GOSPEL:
Jesus says don’t be alarmed or afraid if things seem to get worse before they get better Like news of wars, weather patterns changing, or worldwide pandemics… These things will pass away and will not be remembered anymore.
But God’s dream for us will come to pass and be remembered forever even if we can’t wrap our arms or head around it right now. That beautiful dream is worth dreaming and working toward.
CHALLENGE/COMMISSION (“Krista’s 3 Things”)
So what can we do to help it come about?
Each person has a different part, different tasks. But there are many things, like:
1. Share a happy memory with a friend or story with your grandchildren.
2. Remember God’s great dream for us. Come out to Bible Study!
3. Plant a tree or garden, something that takes a long time to see mature.
CLOSING:
Keep on going and do what’s in your heart to do to make God’s big dream a reality…
Then maybe we will live as old as the oldest tree, over 100 years old, or even 1000 like Abraham, and our children and grandchildren’s dreams will far exceed our own like those beautiful branches reaching far across the horizon.
May it be so.
AmenKrista’s Reflection “Big Visions Take a Lot of Hard Work” Based on Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19 November 13, 2022 MESSAGE: God gives us a big vision for our lives. It isn’t always easy. It may take a very long time. But if we have faith and work hard, we can contribute to it, even if it happens beyond our lifetime. STORY: “The Big Oak Tree” by Krista “Grandpa, tell me a story!” A little boy sat with his grandpa under a big oak tree. His grandpa thought for a moment. There were many stories he could tell! Then he said, “When I was a little boy I sat under this same tree. And it was much older than me, at least 103! And wider than 10 of me!” The boy’s eyes grew wider. He tried to stretch his arms around the tree But it was impossible! The grandpa explained: “This tree was planted when my grandfather was born… When there were waggons instead of trucks, and schoolhouses with bells, and people wore their Sunday’s best and women’s skirts swished when they stepped down from carriages…” His grandpa was busy dreaming… “And everyone sat together at the supper table, and there were fresh baked pies with steam still coming off them And food made hot and delicious by my grandmother, and everyone bowed their heads thankful just to be alive!” The boy interrupted, “Grandpa, what do you mean they were thankful just to be alive?” The little boy was very inquisitive. “Oh well, that’s another story,” he said, “where my grandparents came from there was a lot of war and fighting. They escaped with their lives. They travelled on a big ship across the ocean and came here to start a new life.” The boy interrupted again. “But Grandpa, wasn’t that scary?” The grandpa nodded “Yes it was, but they had a big dream, and they were very brave.” Grandpa realized this was a very big story and he better get to the point quickly! He said, “They wanted their children to be safe and have freedom.” Then the grandpa looked up at the big oak tree. “My father sat under this same tree, just like you and me. And he had a big dream too. He wanted to move to the big city and run a successful business.” “Did he?” The boy looked up into his grandfather’s eyes. “Oh yes he did! He went and worked very hard and made a life for himself and his new family – me and my brother and sister.” “Then what happened?” “Then I grew up and heard stories of where my father grew up And I wanted to live there and raise my family. And so I came here, and this is where your father was born!” The boy laughed with glee. Then his grandpa paused. “And now I am old like this tree.” The boy looked up at his grandpa and felt a little sad. “Grandpa I don’t ever want to move away from you or this tree.” The grandpa reassured him, “You will, because dreams will always take you somewhere new, and big dreams are worth living for…” Then he looked down at the boy and said, “Don’t worry, you can always come back to visit me.” “Grandpa, I am very lucky to be alive and have a grandpa like you.” The boy hugged his grandfather and tried to put his arms around him, but he was so big it was impossible too! His grandpa laughed and they walked back to the house. That night, the boy fell asleep and dreamed that he grew up and become as big as the oak tree, and his branches stretched out far across the horizon, much farther than he could ever dream or imagine… And he knew this was a very big dream to dream, and he smiled in his sleep. REFLECTION When the Israelites heard what the prophet Isaiah was saying about new heavens and a new earth, they must have thought he was crazy! A land where men will live as long as the oldest tree? Where 100 years old will seem like a youth (at Gilford: like Keith?) And the wolf will eat alongside the lamb and the lion alongside an ox… And children will live in safety and freedom? God’s dream for us is so big it might seem impossible – too big to wrap our heads around – Like the boy trying to wrap his arms around that big oak tree – Impossible! But with faith, hard work and dedication, and the passing of time, big dreams really can come to pass… STORY: VANCOUVER ISLAND: When I was a little girl we visited Vancouver Island. And there were these huge redwoods towering above me with trunks as wide as a boat, we were told one of them was over 800 years old! The trees were so big, so pristine, so alive, they seemed like majestic, ancient beings… My seven-year-old brain could not fathom how that was possible that I was only alive for seven years And something existed hundreds of years before I was born, and would likely still be standing LONG after I was gone… It was a pretty humbling experience, even for a seven-year-old! It was as impossible seeming as the stars hanging in the sky or the greatest mountain peaks, how did they get there? What existed before I existed and what will come after me? MESSAGE: Big Dreams are like that – hard to fathom. And they may take a long time, Sometimes we don’t even get to see them in our lifetime. The biggest dreams are God-sized dreams, and they take even longer. like that big old oak tree, or the majestic redwood cedar it may take hundreds or even thousands of years to grow and mature. STORY: Apparently the oldest tree on Vancouver island is estimated at 3500 years old – that’s over a thousand years before Jesus was born, at the time of King David Think about that for a moment! The grandpa in the story today, like many of us, had happy memories But those happy memories were first someone else’s dream. His wonderful childhood was his ancestor’s greatest hope. His life was something they had to struggle and leave a war-torn country for, sacrifice for, work hard for and keep believing for, despite hardships, crop failures, hard winters, and uncertainty. There were many interruptions to the fulfilment of his glorious dream. MESSAGE: The new heavens and the new Earth are like that A little beyond our grasp. Like it will never happen in our lifetime. But I think God gives us glimpses, and each generation has its own version of heaven on earth. EXAMPLES: Like the war ending on V day And the abolition of slavery. And old frictions mending between countries, And enemies becoming friends again. Or Communities of faith like Churchill Gilford working together in good times and bad with laughter and learning at Bible study flipping steaks at barbecues and baking cakes for bake sales Having a successful harvest season Celebrating babies and baptisms, And new grandchildren, a new generation Helping teens get support so they can have hope and a future. Making happy memories for families at Christmas (and year-round), And attending the Christmas concert with our favourite carols. This might be one version of heaven on earth for us. Where the little things lead to the big things And years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears Lead to rewards, joys, and happy memories for all. We all get a glimpse sometimes. And each life contributes to the big dream of the whole. GOSPEL: Jesus gives us a glimpse in his Gospel. Of love and peace and tolerance for our foes. But he knows it will take a long time. And there will be war, pain, and suffering. He was preparing his disciples for a very big dream, A God-sized dream worth living and dying for. Where a wolf and a lamb like two opposite groups Israel and Palestine Might graze together in the same field. It may not happen in our lifetime, but like that big oak tree, the dream will grow, and like the redwood cedars, it may take hundreds or even thousands of years. That’s nothing in God’s time. The new heavens and new earth are just beyond our grasp. And for that big vision of love and peace and tolerance to grow we will have to have a lot of faith And instill that faith in our children and our children’s children so those dreams can come to fruition. COMMISSION/CHALLENGE: So what does your new heaven and new earth look like? What is the dream God put in your ancestors? Your family? Your children? What is still in you today that is worth living and dying for? Don’t give up dreaming or hoping, Your life is like a 100 rings in that giant cedar, but it contributes to the whole. God‘s great plan for us will come true. We all get to play a part in creating it. GOSPEL: Jesus says don’t be alarmed or afraid if things seem to get worse before they get better Like news of wars, weather patterns changing, or worldwide pandemics… These things will pass away and will not be remembered anymore. But God’s dream for us will come to pass and be remembered forever even if we can’t wrap our arms or head around it right now. That beautiful dream is worth dreaming and working toward. CHALLENGE/COMMISSION (“Krista’s 3 Things”) So what can we do to help it come about? Each person has a different part, different tasks. But there are many things, like: 1. Share a happy memory with a friend or story with your grandchildren. 2. Remember God’s great dream for us. Come out to Bible Study! 3. Plant a tree or garden, something that takes a long time to see mature. CLOSING: Keep on going and do what’s in your heart to do to make God’s big dream a reality… Then maybe we will live as old as the oldest tree, over 100 years old, or even 1000 like Abraham, and our children and grandchildren’s dreams will far exceed our own like those beautiful branches reaching far across the horizon. May it be so.Amen