The cherry tree is a venerable image in North American mythology. At around the age where children become capable of fibbing, they’re told the legend of George Washington, his cherry tree, and how he could not tell a lie. In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom symbolizes the beauty and fleeting nature of life. But when I heard the story I am about to share with you, I began to see how a simple cherry tree can change the world.

They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, but in the case of Peter Dougherty, it was over 16 decades ago. I first read about Peter in preparation for a ministry trip I took to Michigan with my beautiful wife, Diane. The purpose of this trip was to partner with groups of pastors and marketplace leaders to strategize transformation in the Traverse City region. As I was researching the area, I read about a missionary named Peter Dougherty who moved to Traverse City in the mid-1800’s, to minister to the Native American population of Ottawa and Chippewa. By all accounts, his ministry among the Indians was effective, but Peter’s most lasting impact, which seemed foolish and insignificant at the time, changed the course of history in Traverse City forever.

Peter Dougherty planted a tree… a Cherry tree, to be more precise.

The only problem was, everyone knew that cherry trees could not grow in the harsh climate of Northern Michigan. Patronizing words poured in from neighbors who couldn’t see his vision, couldn’t feel his hope, or understand his faith. Despite the ridicule, Peter’s tree blossomed and bore beautiful fruit. From the seeds, he soon planted more cherry trees. Within a few years his orchard was flourishing, and the local population began to marvel at his foresight. Because of the success of his orchard, his neighbors also began to plant their own cherry orchards. Over the next few generations, this region that was plagued with poverty, began to prosper in unexpected ways.

As a result, Traverse City, Michigan, is now known as the Cherry Capital of the World.

Just like Peter Dougherty, you and I are called to bring God’s kingdom to earth by reaching souls, equipping the saints, and transforming the spheres of society. And just like Peter Dougherty, our greatest impact may be in ways we never expected. Every believer is called to be a full-time minister; however, only 2% will ever make their living from being paid ministers. The other 98% of us will make our living in business, education, medicine, or in some other sphere of society. You may be the one who creates a new technology, writes a #1 hit song or discovers the cure for cancer. Be open to the possibility that God could use you to change the world.

As a young minister, I thought my destiny was to build a mega-church in San Francisco that would impact the rest of the world. Although we enjoyed many years of great success, I have come to realize that my “cherry tree” is not building a single church in a great city but to equip and empower hundreds of churches to bring God’s kingdom to hundreds of cities around the world. In pursuit of this vision I have planted a couple of new cherry trees: pastorscoach.com and destinyfinder.com.

What is your cherry tree? What is the one thing that you can do that no one else can do in quite the same way? What is the choice you feel compelled to make now, that you know within your heart, will affect your city and the world forever?

The cherry tree shows us that life is short. Forget the naysayers. Stay true to your vision. Change our world.

While it may be true that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago… the second best time to plant a tree is TODAY.

Plant your cherry tree.