When the Runny Babbit took his favorite shortcut through the forest, he always thought it was the fastest way to get to where he was going.   He would hop about from here to there and always look around to enjoy all the sights in the forest.   He was unaware that he didn’t really see anything clearly at all because he was either looking down or at himself no matter what he was doing.   He always measured his journey by himself, based only on himself.  He made decisions according to what he wanted to do and didn’t really consider much of what others liked or wanted.  This posed a threat in his relationships but he was so into himself that he never saw the problems in those relationships.   He did as he pleased to suit himself.  He was happy the way he was; so he thought.

Then one day Runny was leaving home to do some shopping and as he came close to his shortcut, he tripped and fell.  He found himself flat on his back looking up and for the first time he saw this Wonderful Tree in front of him.  It was so big and so beautiful; full of lovely strong branches and lots and lots of leaves.   “Where did this Tree come from?” he asked himself.  He didn’t remember it being there before; but how could he have missed this Wonderful Tree all this time.

As he looked at the Wonderful Tree he noticed a big difference between them, and began to compare himself to this Tree.  Then he realized that he had never seen this Wonderful Tree and its beauty because he’d always been looking at himself, only interested in himself.  But now that he’d looked at “this Wonderful Tree”, he saw how selfish he had been all this time, only wanting what he wanted, and never considering or caring about others.  He had lots of family and friends but never saw them as valuable as he saw himself.   Oh, how ashamed he felt when he realized he had never reached out to help any of them, befriend them or just enjoy their company.  Oh, what was he to do?

As he gazed upon the Wonderful Tree he wished he could be big and strong like it.   He wished he could have lots and lots of leaves that did so much for the forest; shading it from the elements of the weather.   As Runny considered this Wonderful Tree he saw the “Two Great Big Branches” that reached out in opposite directions.  “Now what are those two branches all about?” he wondered.  And that trunk was so enormous and strong; surely this Wonderful Tree has been here a very long time.   Thinking that the roots were as deep as the Tree was tall, Runny ascertained that this Tree could not be moved.   It probably had been there “forever” and would be there “forever.”   As he looked at this big wide trunk he saw two trails; one on each side of this Wonderful Tree.  The one was the way he always took and the other was new and unknown to him.  Now what was he to do?   Which trail should he take now?  Should he stay on the path he has always been on or take this new path?   Which would be better?  More fun and more exciting?  How could he be sure this New Way would be good for him?   Oh, what was he to do.  Runny thought and thought and thought, trying to figure out the answers to all these questions.  Who was going to help him with these decisions?  Who could he trust?   Runny was so intrigued by this Wonderful Tree that he just could not stop looking at it.

Then Runny stepped closer to this Wonderful Tree, reaching out to touch its trunk, and up to touch its leaves.  As he did, in a twinkling of an eye, Runny realized he had changed inside; he felt a newness of Life within.  Oh, this is wonderful he thought.  Those Two Big Branches seemed to lift every care from him.  Everything seemed greener and more beautiful; all the colors of the forest were more vivid and beautiful. Oh goodness, how could he have ever thought that his old ways were good?  Now his ways seem like filthy garments, maybe even rags, dirty and dingy rags.   Runny made a decision; he would accept this New Life.  He would forget his past and do away with his selfishness and work to be like this Wonderful Tree; strong, loving, kind, and a blessing to those around him.

Runny decided that this new trail was going to be a wonderful journey.   This New Life was going to be peaceful, joyful, filled with love and yes even exciting.  Runny felt different about himself and differently towards others in his life.  He no longer viewed them as threats to his well-being but as valued assets and he no longer felt like a grasshopper in their eyes.   His eyes were opened to the fact that his “old self” had kept him bound and blind to The Truth.   Now that he received this Truth he knew that he was set free by this Truth.  What a wonderful day it has been!

Runny looked up at this Wonderful Tree; being thankful for this New Life.  As he did something great began to happen.  The leaves from this Wonderful Tree began to float down to him, covering him with the oil from their presence, cleansing and healing him from all his past hurts and disappointments.  He heart was pounding, beating to a new rhythm with a new song.  Runny jumped for joy; he was going to love this New Life and this new trail.

He could not get enough of these leaves that were changing him to be like this Wonderful Tree.  Oh, he knew he would never “be” a tree, but he would strive to be “like” this Tree in character.  Each leaf was like a new dimension of the Tree changing him to be more and more like the Wonderful Tree itself, in thought, in word, in action and even in motives.  Then Runny noticed something else; no matter how many leaves he reached up to bring into his life, their abundance never disappeared, never ceased or lacked in number.  There was a continuous supply, always ready to meet his every need.

This Wonderful Tree in the center of this forest with its branches reached out over all the other trees and plants to shade them from the hot sun or the raging storms.  Runny now had this same desire.  He wanted to reach out to others in the forest and be a blessing.   Wow!  Has he ever changed!  Before this Wonderful Tree came into his life Runny only thought of himself and think of ways to get others to bless him.  Now all he wanted was to be a blessing.  What a difference the Presence of this Wonderful Tree has made in his heart.

A new confidence rose up within Runny and he knew he could trust this Wonderful Tree. The more Runny learned about this Wonderful Tree the more he changed; and the more he wanted to live according to the “leaves” of this Wonderful Tree.  He no longer saw himself as insignificant, a no body, or of no value.  He saw that he had a new identity.  He was NOT a Runny Babbit any longer.  He is a Bunny Rabbit!  Inside he is a child of this  most Wonderful Tree. He realized that no matter where he went the Wonderful Tree would be with him, guiding him and helping him.  The more he learned about this Wonderful Tree the more he realized his purpose is to be a representative of the Wonderful Tree to the others in the forest.  A decision was made; it is final.   Bunny would spend the rest of his life bringing glory this Wonderful Tree.

This Wonderful Tree wants to provide and protect everyone in the forest. You can trust this Wonderful Tree of Life (Jesus).  If you haven’t already received Jesus as Savior, make that decision today; don’t put it off.  You will receive the Blessings of the Leaves  (the promises) from this Wonderful Tree (Jesus).  If you already know Him as Lord, make a new commitment to live for Him in every area of your life.   It is not a lack of faith to “renew” our commitment to the Lord each day.  It is an acknowledgement of our submission to His Great Love and Truth.  When Jesus is the center of our life, His Word covers every area of our life with His Blessings.

In case you haven’t figured out this riddle-like story:

The forest is the world and our life

The Runny Babbit is the mixed-up unbeliever

The shortcut is our way of doing things

The Wonderful Tree is Jesus

The Two big Branches represent the cross where Jesus died for our sins

The New Life is Salvation, born again, Jesus is the only way

The Bunny Rabbit is the believer changed by faith by accepting Jesus as Savior

The Leaves are the Promises of God, and Fruit of the Spirit

The two trails are the two ways of life, our way or God’s Way

 SCRIPTURES:

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

John 3:16-17  God so love the world, that he sent Jesus…that the world might be saved.  Jesus did not come to condemn. 

Romans 10:13  Whoever calls upon the name of Jesus shall be saved.

Romans 10:9-10  We are to believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 5:17  When we are in Christ (saved), we are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. 

Romans 10:17  Our faith continues to grow by hearing and hearing the Word of God. 

Revelation 1:8  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord.

If you have enjoyed this short story, its truth spoke to you, please leave a comment.