I am a tree. My roots are firm in the ground, my trunk is strong and my branches reach out.
Some of my branches have been trimmed, some have broken off in storms. Some show new growth and there are a few dead branches that my gardener is probably fixing to trim.
No, I am not in Drama class, getting in touch with my inner tree. Nor am I going crazy and taking on alternate personalities….well, I am at least not going any crazier…
Since the beginning of my relationship with Jesus, He has spoken to me in “tree parables”.
At a women’s retreat a prophetic word was spoken over me, in which I was likened to a tree.
When God wants to comfort me, on those mornings where life is totally overwhelming me, He shows me “tree-scriptures”.
I have always had an obsession with trees. My favorite visual in the world is a lone, strong tree standing on a hill.
What a picture of strength. What a picture of determination and courage.
Trees start out small. Very small in comparison to the size they could potentially reach.
A tree’s efforts in growing are focused on it’s roots before it spends time reaching out it’s branches.
A tree reaches for water as well as for sunlight.
A tree is capable of taking the carbon dioxide, toxic to the creatures it shares this earth with, and turn it into oxygen.
Oh, how I adore when God draws parables between nature and our lives. He is so creative in authoring perfect pictures and pre-telling His plans for His created works.
You and I started out small in our Christian walk….some of us may still be seeds. When you start out, you are but a small resemblance of what you have the potential to grow into.
In our walk with God it is important to grow strong roots first. To deepen your relationship with Him and find security in who you are in Him is a vital necessity before you can reach out to others. You need strong, deep roots that keep you standing when circumstances try to push you over. You will be a greater blessing to all around you when you are standing firm in hard times and able to keep your branches lifted for the benefit of those around you.
If you never replenish your energy you wither. That’s true for all living things. As followers of Jesus our spiritual energy is not given only one time to last us for the rest of our life. It is a constant flow. Spending time in the Word, in prayer and in fellowship with other believers is essential to replenish spent energies.
And there are times when you must reach a little higher and go a little deeper to find nourishment.
When toxic things happen around a person that has been growing and is mature in the Lord, they are able to take things in and instead of returning toxicity, they are able to speak beneficial things back.
I adore a mature, strong tree. But I adore a believer growing into a strong Christian much more. A person grown by the Lord. Beautiful. A people growing in His ways. Magnificent!
Leave a Reply