KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fl. February 4, 2012 - This week as I was walking with my son, we came across a beautiful oak tree. It was majestic in size with large sprawling limbs. On the way back home, however, I noticed a weakness in the tree. Right in the middle of this huge oak was a gapping hole.
It was rotten in its core. How amazing that the same tree that appeared strong and beautiful from the outside was completely empty and void of life on the inside.
I looked at my son and asked, “Dalton, do you know what would happen if a storm blew through this pasture?”
“That tree would fall down,” he confidently answered.
He was right. If pressure mounted against this tree, the tree would topple over.
Just like this tree has to endure forces of nature, we as a nation and as individuals will have to withstand trials.
I don’t want to be a person who topples over when pressure begins to mount. I want to be an individual who is solid to the core and I want to be led by people who are firm in their convictions … people of character.
Lately I’ve been studying the book of Proverbs, the book of wisdom. Listen to Proverbs 28:2, “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” Sounds like our oak tree, huh?
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this verse describes the state of our nation. Moral rot is rampant and our government is beginning to blow over. It’s time for stability. The trials of this world aren’t going to disappear, if anything, the winds will blow harder. More than ever, we need to be individuals who are wise and we need to elect wise and knowledgeable leaders for “wisdom is a tree of life” (Proverbs 3:18).
While magnificent from the one side, the tree is dying on the inside (Image: Kristi Overton Johnson)
How do we find and identify wisdom? Proverbs says a wise person is a person of integrity, humility, generosity, and moral excellence. They speak truth. They are disciplined and exhibit self-control in their actions, emotions and words. A wise person listens to counsel, and learns from their mistakes. They respect and treat others fairly, help people in need, stand up for the innocent, and fight for what is just. Finally, a wise person fears the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”
Will you commit with me to become people of wisdom so we can bring stability to our families, cities, nation and even the world? Our future, and the future of our children depends on our personal decision to become people of excellence.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
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Kristi Overton Johnson is a wife, mother, and the world record holder in water-skiing from 1992-2010. Having retired from professional sports, Kristi now helps others fulfill their God-given destiny.
With a passion to share the life lessons she learned on the water and a desire to encourage the hearts of people through her faith, Kristi founded her non-profit ministry Champion’s Heart.
Champion’s Heart provides life resources, addiction recovery, quarterly magazine publications, leadership training, and sports outreaches. In His Wakes, the water-sports outreach of Champion’s Heart, has helped over 10,000 at-risk youth from across the nation and world have hope, experience victory and discover their purpose through the sport that brought Kristi fame.
Kristi currently resides in Florida with her husband, Tim, and their three children.
To read more by Kristi go to http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/his-wakes
To learn about her mission and work visit Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries.
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