Planting Trees You May Never Sit Under
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him” – Proverbs 20:7
Every day of your life, you are planting seeds. Whether you realize it or not, your choices, your actions, your words, and your attitude are leaving something behind for someone else. The question is, what kind of legacy are you building? What will grow from the seeds you are sowing?
There’s a story about a group of warriors who were marching across the land to build a future settlement for those who would come after them. Along the way, a few younger warriors started grumbling about the heat, the distance, and the effort it was taking. They could not understand the point of planting trees and clearing land for people they might never meet. But an elder stepped in and reminded them they were enjoying the shade of trees planted by those who came before them. Now it was their turn to do the same.
That’s what legacy is about. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. And most of the time, it’s not even about you. It’s about what you’re building with your life that will still be standing long after you’re gone. It’s about the decisions you’re making today that your children or their children may one day thank you for.
The truth is, you may not get to sit under every tree you plant. You may not see the full reward of every act of faith, every prayer you pray, every seed you sow. But that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. In fact, some of the most powerful things you do in this life will be the things that outlast you.
You don’t need a platform to make an impact. You need purpose. You need to live every day with the mindset that your life matters beyond your own lifetime. That your faithfulness right now is building something real. That the way you love, give, serve, and obey is creating shade for someone else in the future.
Keep planting. Keep building. Keep sowing even when the ground feels hard. Because when you live for more than just yourself, God can use your life to shape someone else’s. And that kind of legacy never fades.
Every day of your life, you are planting seeds. Whether you realize it or not, your choices, your actions, your words, and your attitude are leaving something behind for someone else. The question is, what kind of legacy are you building? What will grow from the seeds you are sowing?
There’s a story about a group of warriors who were marching across the land to build a future settlement for those who would come after them. Along the way, a few younger warriors started grumbling about the heat, the distance, and the effort it was taking. They could not understand the point of planting trees and clearing land for people they might never meet. But an elder stepped in and reminded them they were enjoying the shade of trees planted by those who came before them. Now it was their turn to do the same.
That’s what legacy is about. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. And most of the time, it’s not even about you. It’s about what you’re building with your life that will still be standing long after you’re gone. It’s about the decisions you’re making today that your children or their children may one day thank you for.
The truth is, you may not get to sit under every tree you plant. You may not see the full reward of every act of faith, every prayer you pray, every seed you sow. But that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. In fact, some of the most powerful things you do in this life will be the things that outlast you.
You don’t need a platform to make an impact. You need purpose. You need to live every day with the mindset that your life matters beyond your own lifetime. That your faithfulness right now is building something real. That the way you love, give, serve, and obey is creating shade for someone else in the future.
Keep planting. Keep building. Keep sowing even when the ground feels hard. Because when you live for more than just yourself, God can use your life to shape someone else’s. And that kind of legacy never fades.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments