The poet Henry W. Longfellow was on in years and his hair was white, but he remained a vigorous man. When someone asked him the secret of his vitality, Longfellow pointed to an apple tree in bloom and said, "That tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms on it than it now bears. That tree grows new wood each year. Like that apple tree, I try to grow a little new wood each year.''

That is God's design for His children. Although the years take their toll on our bodies, our souls have the capacity for unending renewal. Through life's experiences, narrow attitudes can broaden into greater understanding if we let them.

The apostle Paul found his motivation for growing "new wood" in his relationship to Jesus Christ. He longed to know Him increasingly, not in theory but in reality (Phil. 3:8,10). This meant reading (2 Tim. 4:13), renewing his mind (Rom. 12:1-2), accepting life's trials as part of the good that God was continually working out in his life (Rom. 8:28), and holding to his confidence in Christ (2 Tim. 2:13).

Worn Bibles, prayer according to God's will, and trusting Him in all circumstances are characteristic of Christians who are growing "new wood." Is this true of us?  — Dennis J. De Haan