Geof Steiner is a Vietnam veteran whose life took the stereotypical downfall after his return to civilian life. He struggled financially, suffered a divorce, battled addiction to alcohol and attempted suicide. Finally, he gave his life to Christ and experienced transformation.
In 1980 he was planting a tree, and he decided then to plan one for every one of the dead and missing. The result was a forest in Cushing, Minnesota consisting of almost 60,000 trees, roughly one tree for every American lost in Vietnam.
Steiner paid for the early trees out of his $235 monthly disability check. Now, trees are being donated by the state forestry service. The forest is now recognized as an official memorial to veterans of Vietnam. Steiner says, "This is the only living form of remembrance in the nation. People can come here and experience healing".
As Christians, we too can experience healing from a tree... the tree of Calvary. It is through the blood of Jesus that we can be spiritually cleansed and reborn. The prophet Isaiah detailed this rebirth through the sacrifice of Christ when he wrote:
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV)
Today, hold firmly to the fact that we have been healed from our sin and are triumphant through the death of our Savior Jesus Christ.
