The Palm Tree and Christian Growth
THE Arabs have a saying about the palm tree, that it stands with its feet in salt water and its head in the sun. They often can not drink of the brackish water found in the oasis where the palm grows; but they tap the tree and drink the sweet palm wine. The palm tree, by the magic of its inner life, can so change the elements found in the unkindly soil around it that they minister to its growth and strength and fruit-bearing. So we in our earthly life must often have our feet in the mire and bitterness of sin around us; and upon our heads will often beat the fierce heat of temptation. But, in spite of these things, we shall be able to grow, and grow strong, if within us there is the making of a new life through Jesus Christ.—Selected.