Job, the ancient sufferer, has a fascinating story. As we continue to work through the effects of the global pandemic we are experiencing, and the racial tensions we face, it is good for us to reflect on those who have suffered before us.
Job was unique because he not only suffered devastating economic trials, he also experienced the unexpected and tragic loss of his wife and children. Job’s story is filled with authentic reflections. In his grief, Job did not “sugarcoat “anything.
In fact, in the opening verse of chapter 14 of the Book of Job, he says, “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.”
Some may view this observation as depressing. Personally, I love Job’s authenticity. He says it like it is.
He continues by noting that trees have a way of sticking around, no matter how tough things get. He declares to his friends: “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant” (Job 14:7-9).
There’s something enduring about a tree. They are deeply rooted. They grow gradually, steadily, and consistently. Many of them weather terrible storms and trials and emerge even stronger than before.
When our second-oldest child was born, just over 21 years ago, Kimberly’s parents planted a tree in his honor on their farm in Wisconsin. We have had the pleasure of watching it grow little-by-little over the years. Now, both of his grandparents are gone, but the tree stands tall. My son has grown taller and stronger than me, but he is still eclipsed by the tree.
At Hope Haven Rwanda, we believe that the investments we make in people really matter. Like water, oxygen and sunshine, these seemingly small investments work together to help a growing tree take root and eventually bear fruit.
We’ve seen some of that fruit already, and we look forward to much more! We’ve seen students who were struggling to survive, without any hope for a quality education, grow into some of the top scholars in the nation during the last eight years. We believe we will see Rwandan world-changers and job creators emerge from the halls of Hope Haven in the decades to come!
Your investment will likely be different than mine, and that’s okay. God has called each one of us to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted us with. Nothing more. Nothing less.
What a day of rejoicing it will be when we can look back and see the fruit of our seemingly small investments. We believe they will take root and help others grow into towering trees!