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Some people complain about computers, and there are people who use computers who still print everything.  One good thing about computers, though, is that they can save trees if you choose to save data on the computer instead of printing everything out.  (Personally I’m somewhere in between.  I save most of my info on digital media, but some things I like to print and file just in case I can’t access my online accounts.)  Another day as I looked at the scene in front of me after the tree cracked and crashed to the ground, I noticed that someone had been cutting up the tree into small logs, most likely for firewood.  I love the smell of fresh cut wood. 

After an event takes place, isn’t our next question now what?  God has a plan for everything, and He has given us wisdom and expertise to make good use of the now what in life.  This tree was of no use to anyone lying on its side, split in half, and roots disturbed.  But the wood from the tree is useful to keep someone warm by burning it in their fireplace or campfire. 

I could easily look at the above picture and lament the tree that is no longer there to give shade, but there’s another angle to that picture.  What good can come out of this tree falling to the ground? 

  • The person cutting it up doesn’t have to climb the tree to remove it.
  • It gave someone possibly a paying job to cut it up.
  • The tree can still be useful as it its purpose is redirected.
  • If the wood is sold, it will provide income.
  • The wood will keep someone warm when it is burned.
  • The wood could be useful for crafts.
  • With the tree gone, the sun can shine through with its warmth and light.
  • Can you think of other good it brings???

When I complete one task on my list, I often ask myself now what? Or what next?  I like to keep busy and I like to see my to-do list items checked off.  When bad things happen, I used to say what next? out of frustration because my plans were interrupted or something cost me time or money, and I was afraid of what next bad thing might happen to add to my dilemma.  However, I soon discovered that asking that question had me looking for the next bad thing, and somehow it always seemed to happen.  A better question I’ve started asking is what do You want me to learn from this? 

The key is to look at other angles and see what can be part of God’s plans.  I’ll never forget a guest missionary speaker who made a profound statement that has stuck with me many, many years later:  Don’t ask WHY, but WHAT.  When she first said it, I was puzzled.  But then she went on to explain how when things happen, our first reaction is why did it happen.  Often there are no explanations or reasons why some things happen—at least not for us now, but some day it will all be made plain to us when we get to Heaven.  So, she said, instead of asking why, ask what.  Specifically, what can I learn from this?  That takes our focus off of what happened and trying to figure it out, and puts it onto God and what HE wants us to learn from this or how HE is going to use this for our good. WHAT is definitely a hard question to ask and sometimes even harder to answer, but by doing so we grow closer to God and attune ourselves to Him.  If I had to sit down immediately after an event and think about the what, I would most likely not have an answer and even get frustrated.  So I need to let the situation settle and ruminate on it in the back of my mind.  As I do so, I start seeing some of the possible reasons an event took place, how it could have turned out different, and eventually what God wants me to learn from it.  It’s a hard exercise to discipline yourself to do, but so worth the effort.

“But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
II Corinthians 12:9 ESV

The tree must have been weak, but in becoming weak and submitting to the wind, it fell to the ground so that God’s power could use it for even greater purposes.  So it is with our lives.  His all-sufficient grace and power resting on us is what brings about God’s perfect peace.