Planting trees the shade of which we shall never enjoy
17 or so years ago, my pastor Rod McIlvaine at Grace Community Church taught a series called ‘God of this City’- covering the general topic of Biblically directed and empowered civic-mindedness. Drawing from lessons such as from Erastus (Acts 19:22/Romans 16:23) who *might* be the fellow who, for his aedileship/summa honoraria, funded a stretch of road for the city. Or the Babylonian captivity- that even while in exile, the Israelites were commanded to work for the benefit of their captor nation and to be a blessing.
We are fortunate to not be in a captor nation, though it may be a temporary one as we await more permanent dwellings. We are given a similar 70 (or 80+, if by reason of strength) years in which to perform our works which have been prepared for us to walk in.
Long-term planning is not in vogue these days. Attention spans, constantly buffeted and eroded by the tyranny of the day and tiny attention vampire devices we carry with us, are not drawn to the possibility of things to be accomplished in the misty unknown future.
The hazards and uncertainties of what-may-be should not stop us from making plans for enduring works. The Romans spent decades making aqueducts to feed and nourish their nation, many of which still survive to this day.
It is accordingly good and proper to think of the needs of the Bartlesville of the future, if we can but sit a moment to do so.
I know our city recently undertook such an exercise with the Endeavor 2045 plan. Some of it piques interest, and some of it… maybe not so much.
In the coming weeks I hope to suggest some ideas for consideration. Some young trees need planting- (they will certainly need *watering*)