Wednesday, March 29, 2006

UPROOTING THE BAOBABS

In the children's book "The Little Prince," there is a scene where the rose asks the prince why he so carefully combs through the soil each day, diligently pulling up the baobab sprouts. The prince answers that baobab trees, if left to their own, will grow to be one of the biggest trees in the world. In order to protect the rose and keep their little planet alive, he cannot afford to let a baobab tree take root; otherwise it would consume their space and they would die.

Similarly, I've been finding it absolutely necessary to comb through the soil of my heart each day looking for any hints of "baobabs." Things like pride, envy and discontentment seem to lurk around constantly, waiting for me to let my guard down, waiting for the opportunity to take root. They just don't go away.

Thankfully, my faith is kept not by my own efforts, but by the grace of the One who saved me.

Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
~1 Thessalonians 5:22-24~

3 comments:

lynnie said...

oh is that why you like the ;ittle prince so much?

ols said...

among several reasons, yes, that is why i like The Little Prince so much. there are other poignant moments with deep life lessons in a very simple little book. :)

tim chan said...

i like that analogy. i'll remember that