My friends Dick and Ruth planted peach trees.
Peach trees along the Colorado Front Range produce fruit about once every five years. In our short-term culture, maybe you think Dick and Ruth (who are in their mid-70’s) are a bit silly.
Dick and Ruth follow Jesus. They’re not short-term people.
Short-term is all about momentary pleasure, the addictive “hit” of substance or experience that creates increased need for the next one. Social media and drugs create the same chemical response and the same desire for more.
Jesus always points us to long-term, to authentic happiness that leads to contentment rather than craving. He spoke of sowing seeds and building on firm foundations. He invites us to forego immediate thrills for the contentment and fulfillment of love, hope, and faith.
When you think in those terms, you train for months to ride bikes for kids you’ll never meet.
You plant peach trees in Colorado.
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Dick and Ruth also wrote a book. KNOWN: Finding Deep Friendships In A Shallow World is a wonderful collection of wisdom from two incredible people.