What if in some remote, desolate corner of our earth there was a healing tree? What if all who took refuge under the shade of this tree found relief from every grief and every sickness? And, if you knew of such a tree, whom would you tell? Even now, I can imagine the hands of those that I would lead to this tree for freedom from pain and illness. A tree like that would be something truly remarkable and caring souls around the globe would move with urgency to spread the good news among the hurting, crippled masses.

There is such a tree and there is such news. In a desolate place, called Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to pieces of a tree that formed the shape of a cross. With arms spread wide open, He invited - and continues to invite - all to take refuge in Him. Under the shade of His grace is peace and relief from every spiritual sickness. The freedom and salvation He offers is miraculous, eternal and truly, truly remarkable. So, why then, do caring Christian souls move with hesitancy in the spread of such good news?

Are there many “Apostle Pauls” among us today? Do we speak of our Lord with passion, conviction, intelligence and tenderness? Are we authentic students of the Master? For Paul, there was no middle ground, no lukewarmness. There was no place for bashful belief systems or unresearched, wobbly doctrinal platforms. He declared boldly: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16, KJV)

As in the early days of the church, would our generation be ‘turned upside down’ if we unshackled our tongues to speak of His glories? What spiritual wonders would we unleash if we unfettered fear’s chain and lived with unashamed holy resolution? What if every Christian rose to God’s call and became daring heralds of the cross? What if I did? What if you did? If we did, we’d have the immaculate joy of Kingdom living on terrestrial ground.

So, how does fear thwart such good intentions? It undermines faith. Let’s say, for example, that some wandering explorer happened across our fictitious healing tree and the rumor found you in a room with a beloved, dying cancer patient. Understanding that false hope can be an excruciating poison, you might hesitate to offer such a fanciful promise of healing…unless you knew with some certainty that this faraway tree could really help. We promote what we believe in.

The Tree that bore Creator God, adorned in flesh, is a hope with certainty. All who embrace the Redeemer’s nail-scarred hands and exercise faith in His Person, become eternal heirs of the promise. Could it be that our silence speaks of insecurity in our faith? Do we hesitate to mention the powerful name of Jesus Christ because we, ourselves, lack confidence in the hope we have?

Each of us is called to be an ambassador for Christ; we are assigned the privilege of inviting the crippled and hurting masses to the tree of Calvary. The question is not one of ability, because God will surely equip. (I Thessalonians 5:24). The question is one of willingness. Will we count His name worthy of our total commitment? Will we surrender our lives to His service – whether we’re a writer, a teacher, a lawyer, an officer or a minister. Wherever He has planted us, will we bloom for Him?

Today, if you know someone who is hurting, someone who is in need of hope…take their hand and lead them to the Healing Tree.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB)

Liz Miller lives in Daphne with her husband Matt and son, Logan. She looks forward to responding to your thoughts, prayer requests and guest speaker invitations, please write to millerfam3@hotmail.com.