The Life Of A Tree
7/21/13 – Original
8/6/13 - Verses
10/1/13 - Revised
10/1/13 - Revised
The following passage was taken from a study that I taught.
"Imagine a large and lovely tree, a tree that invites creatures to come and nest. A tree whose leafy arms hold the promise of comfort and rest. A person who is a shelter is one who affords those that enter her life the joy of relaxing in her love. She has come alive to her longings and the beauty of offering her soul without contempt or pressured performing. This aliveness is not a fruit that she uses to adorn herself. Rather, it is for the explicit purpose of having more to give to others for their well-being and to God for his Glory." -Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.
I actually carry around a copy of that passage because it speaks so much to me. There is also a different picture of a tree that I post in various places to remind me of this.
In the last few weeks, I've really felt like God was trying to talk to me about trees. I am captivated by every one that I see. Collectively and separately, I am stirred with so much thought and adoration.
I can't help but wonder what that would be like? -God making me into a tree. If I were a tree; what kind would I be? An oak is usually what comes to mind, even though I haven’t necessarily decided.
In the last few weeks, I've really felt like God was trying to talk to me about trees. I am captivated by every one that I see. Collectively and separately, I am stirred with so much thought and adoration.
I can't help but wonder what that would be like? -God making me into a tree. If I were a tree; what kind would I be? An oak is usually what comes to mind, even though I haven’t necessarily decided.
You know the old adage that "You are the company you keep." If I spent more time in the presence of trees, could I in fact become more like them? What are some characteristics that I could gain? -Might I already have?
I started coming up with the following list, starting with the most obvious. Consider it slowly. I hope that it speaks to you as well.
I started coming up with the following list, starting with the most obvious. Consider it slowly. I hope that it speaks to you as well.
1. It’s the greatness of a tree that people imagine, not the sapling or damaged areas. - 1 Peter 5:10
2. Able to sway but never bend. - Romans 12:2
3. Arms always raised. - Psalms 63:3-4
4. Food/nourishment is always evident in fingers. Scattering seed. - Titus 2:1-5
5. Appearing to ‘dance’ through the blows of life. - James 1:12
6. Strong enough to hold a house within arms, or a nest, or two. - Proverbs 3:18
7. Sought for admiration, pleasure to a child, shelter from sun and rain, or as a choice material in building. – Philippians 2:1-4
8. To be a necessity to others in order to sustain life. - Proverbs 31:20
9. To only produce such quality and high value resources. - Galatians 5:22-23
10. What doesn't get consumed by others has potential to become the next offspring. - Deuteronomy 4:9-10
11. I've heard that if you follow the longest limb on a tree, you fill find that it covers the longest root. What a smart tree to always protect what makes it stand. – Psalms 91:2 (Check out the whole chapter).
13. Trees do not restore and repair wood that is injured and infected. Instead they compartmentalize off the damaged tissue. They don't work to replace those cells, they just grown around it! - Romans 6:4
15. Within the bark, appears to be a grooved road map for others to follow. -From the ground, up. - Isaiah 26:7
18. Anyone can tell, simply by looking at the tree, what kind of tree it is, or that it is in fact, a tree. - John 15:5
22. The wood of a tree is an arrangement of living, dying, and dead cells. (Sounds just like our habits, huh?) – 2 Corinthians 4:12
23. To make no sound ever, except when moved by something. - Proverbs 15:4 | Branch
25. Most of where I would retain water would be underground, hidden from sight. (I couldn't resist.) - Psalm 139:15-16
27. There's a fullness inside that only God gave. It can't be filled with money, food, compliments, etc... - Ephesians 3:16-19
30. Some trees are self-pollinating, but they will often produce larger yields with a cross pollinator. – Philippians 4:13
31. Oak Trees grow incredibly slow. If they are overshadowed by bigger trees they spend most of their energy just trying to grow tall enough to see the sun. They do best when they are directly in the light and separated from other trees. – Psalm 27:8
32. For the rings, the past is tucked away on the inside, no one would know unless someone sought its heart. – Luke 9:62
35. Most can weather any storm. They may be changed but not destroyed. –2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Romans 5:3-5
36. It's what's the roots are in, that determines how quickly it grows, how large it becomes and what it can withstand. - Matthew 7:24-27 | Branch
37. Trees trap more of the sun's energy than any other group of organisms on earth. (Son’s energy) - 1 John 4:4
38. One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day. (Living water & Profession) – John 7:38
This might be another list that I come back and add to over time. Feel free to come back and check. I hope that it was a blessing to you.
“But blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
- Jeremiah 17:8
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