"In uncertain times, be certain that God is with you."

The location of the forbidden tree has been a source of much contemplation for me. God put the tree right in the middle of the garden next to the tree of life, a tree that must have been very desirable to eat from. God didn’t place the tree in some obscure corner of the garden where Adam and Eve would have to seek it out; he placed the forbidden fruit right where they would see it every day. God knew that tree would test Adam and Eve’s relationship with Him every day as they saw it while walking in the garden. God’s plan required that they live with the tree but not let it get between them and God. Eventually, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit which compromised their relationship with God and they were banished from the Garden of Eden losing the close fellowship with Him they once shared.
ALS is that “tree in our garden”. Each day we must look at it, live with it, and battle it as we try not to allow it to compromise our relationship with God. When faced with a storm in life, it is easy to get angry with God and want to turn away from Him. God’s desire for us it that we be firm in our faith continually developing a relationship with Him. The tree is there so we learn to rely on Him for strength. We are incapable of circling the tree day after day and not letting it affect our relationship with God somehow.
I want to encourage you to acknowledge the “trees” in your life. What is getting between you and God? Allow God to strengthen you and draw you closer to him so you can walk circles around the tree. May no “tree” in your life compromise your relationship with God.