All throughout our neighborhood the Alders are dying and falling down.
It’s especially bad whenever we have a windstorm or when the snowfall is heavy in winter. Alders come crashing down in a messy disaster all across the main road out of our neighborhood. We, and our neighbors, often find ourselves heading out to work in the morning … only to have to turn around and come back home to get the chainsaw, in order to clear a dead Alder off the road.
What’s wrong with the Alders?!? Why are they all dying?!?
Are the other trees going to start dying too!? Is there some terrible thing we all don’t know about that’s killing them?!?
There’s no reason to panic. There is no reason for worry or fear. This is totally normal.
Our entire area was clear-cut and logged back in the early 1900’s … sometime around 1910. So our forest is a relatively young forest. Western Redcedars can live up to 1,000 years … so 100 years makes our trees just young things.
That being said, Alders do not live up to 1,000 years. Alders only have a lifespan equivalent to humans … 70-80 years.
Therefore, the fact that all the Alders in our area are dying and falling down is perfectly normal. They have reached the end of their lifespan. It is time for the Alders to be cleared away … and something new to be planted.
The world around us is a geo-political mess right now! We sit on the very brink of global war! It truly looks like our world is falling apart! Our hearts are filled with fear! We are gripped with worry over what might happen.
But, just like the Alders have reached the end of their lifespan and it is time for them to be cleared away … so also, the world we live in is very close to the end of its lifespan. The time is very close at hand for the wickedness and mess of our world to be cleared away, and a brand-new perfect world to be ushered in.
Jesus tells us not to be afraid. Don’t panic. This is completely normal.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. …
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. …
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. …
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
“At that time … they will see the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
(Matthew 24:6-8; 10-14; 30-31)
So do not be afraid.
Jesus tells us that “heaven and earth will pass away” (just like the mess of falling-down Alders in my neighborhood) … “but My words will never pass away.” – Matthew 24:35
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42
Yes, the world around us is a mess! Yes, indeed it looks like the world is falling apart!
But stay the course! Be faithful! Keep doing what God has put you on this earth to do. Keep taking the next right step. Keep giving your all. Keep doing your best.
Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid.
Jesus is in complete and total control!
