The Orchard

Gentry was relieved to see the narrow path below him. The gentle slope of the hill gave Gentry time to consider his journey so far. He was angry with himself for not following the scrolls and falling into Religiosity’s trap. The journey has only just begun and he felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Gentry wondered if he would have the strength to continue if the rest of the journey was like the beginning. He was determined, though, to get to his destination.

Before Gentry realized what happened, he found himself at the entrance to the orchard. He has already learned to be vigilant even when things seem at peace. But as Gentry entered the orchard, there were no dragons in sight. He walked for a short distance and then decided to sit under a nearby tree. Gentry ate until he was filled and sat back and fell asleep. After what seemed like an eternity, Gentry awoke. The sky was getting dark and Gentry convinced himself that this was a good place to make camp and that he would get an early start tomorrow.

When the next morning came, the birds were singing and the sun was shining. It has been a long time since Gentry felt this much at peace. After a leisurely breakfast of local fruit, Gentry was going to begin his journey again. As he stood to gather his belongings, Gentry looked down the narrow path which seemed so long and rough. Gentry told himself that he needed some more recuperation time. After all, he deserved it and there were no dragons around, so it was safe. So instead of heading out on the journey, Gentry made camp again. This time gathering supplies, just in case he decided to stay for a while.

Gentry filled his time with gathering food and constructing a larger shelter. He gathered vegetation for comfortable bedding and even made a chair from some of the local timber. Gentry was making the orchard home, after all, with the journey so far, Gentry deserved a comfortable place to relax.

Often times, this happens to us. We get into a place of rest and confuse it for our final destination. God provides time for rest on the journey; however, it is never intended to be the final goal. People often get a “good job” thinking that they have arrived. Their pay is more than they ever had in the past and they are comfortable perhaps for the first time in their lives.

When people settle on their way with their financial journey, they typically begin to accumulate things and the debt that comes with it. They feel that they have sufficient income to support the things they want and that they deserve. They become focused on the here and now and not on the final destination of financial peace and security. We start to rely on our jobs, thinking that we will be there forever. Market conditions, layoffs and mergers are for other people. We want to know how to live now. Sure we talk about moving forward, but we never seem to get started.

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Prov 21:20

Very soon, our lives start to rotate around the very things that were to provide us comfort. We end up working harder to maintain what we have, rather than using the energy to establish financial freedom. We settle for being comfortable and for the here and now. Our goal of financial freedom often turns into a wish as life consumes us. Energy that could be used to take us down the path to our destination is being spent on leisure.

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Prov 6: 10-11

No matter what the leisure activity is, there is always more to obtain. For instance, we work hard to have a television. Once we own a television, we look around and find that there is a newer model that is larger. So we work for that. Then we decide that we need a second television. So we purchase one. By this time, our original television is a few years old and we decide to replace it with a newer model. Now there is nothing wrong with owning a television or any leisure activity. However, the harder you work for comfort and relaxation, the more it demands from you.

Gentry spent more and more time improving his shelter and gathering supplies. He used his sword to chop some of the higher branches of the orchard while utilizing his shield as a platter to carry things back to camp. Soon both his sword and shield were in disrepair. Gentry did not seem to mind though, after all, he did not see any dragons.

The seasons changed and soon the orchard, which seemed to have everything that Gentry needed, was drying up. Gentry saw the change, but did not want to admit the reality that was happening. After all, the orchard had taken care of him so far, why should he think that anything would change now? Then it happened, the orchard had no more fruit to give. Gentry searched everywhere for the food and comfort which came so easily in the beginning. But there was none.

As Gentry was searching his shelter, which was now a cabin, for food he found the scrolls that he had long forgotten about. Carefully he opened them. He read about dragons and fighting, but most important, he read about the journey. As he read about the orchard, there was a warning. The orchard was to be used as a short time of rest, but its primary purpose was to provide supplies for the long and difficult part of the journey to come. Gentry’s heart sank. What had he done?

As Gentry sat discouraged, a mist formed a familiar shape in front of his cabin. As it took shape, Gentry saw a sly smile form. He knew that this must be a dragon, so he instinctively grabbed his sword and shield. The blade on his sword was dull and the straps that held his shield close to his body were in disrepair. Gentry looked pitiful as he spoke to the mist and demanded to know the dragon’s name.

Out of the mist a shape emerged. I am Comfort. As Gentry raised his sword to do battle, Comfort laughed as he said, “Boy, the battle is already over and I own you.” The words struck home with Gentry. After what seemed like an eternity, Gentry found the courage to say that he was leaving the orchard. Comfort laughed again. There are no bars or anything holding you here, but yourself. You can leave at any time you chose. However, the journey is rough and you no longer have any supplies. Why not wait until next season when you have more?

Gentry thought about that suggestion long and hard. He realized though, that the longer he stayed, the more difficult it would be to leave. He gathered his sword and shield and the few supplies he had left and headed down the path. Comfort called to him and told him that he would keep his cabin safe for him in case he wanted to return.

Gentry stopped long enough to repair his shield and sharpen his sword. He committed to himself to never take them off and always have them ready for battle. The path was getting rocky and steep. The trees were getting sparse. There was no food and little vegetation. The scrolls spoke of the barren land that he must cross. Gentry turned and looked back. Comfort had been following Gentry. Gentry had to make a choice. He could choose to head down the road and possibly starve or he could turn around and stay with Comfort. With a loud scream, he pushed on down the path. Not knowing if he just signed his death warrant.