91.9 Devotional

This past summer, I worked on a farm during its summer camp program. Although there were the usual barn, fields, and garden staff, I was part of the forestry group. We taught kids how to fell trees, split logs and stack firewood.

We also taught them sustainable forest management. The farm had a professional forester come in and develop a forest management plan, and part of that plan was to clear saplings to allow the mature trees more growth.

Whenever we’d take kids to go clear the underbrush, we’d first explain that although the “thinning” of the forest might cause it temporary loss, we were actually helping to create long-term benefits.

The same is also true in our lives. When we experience disappointment and pain, it can be God’s ways of thinning non-vital aspects from our lives. His ultimate desire is for us to be happy. Although we may think we know the right plan for our lives, we must learn to let go.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

---

Autumn Mott is a sophomore studying communication.