There is something about trees in the winter. They have no leaves and they are totally exposed. But even then, in their nakedness you see their strength and their beauty, so it is with our lives. In our most vulnerable, barren, weak exposed state, our strength rises up and the beauty of God shines through with sheer Brilliance. Oh to be broken~Faith C. Chilongo
I love trees. I love their splendor, their beauty and there strength. I so want to be a Tree, planted by the living waters. Bearing fruit in due season, unmoved and unshaken by wind, drought, and fire. I want my roots to go down deep to impact those around me and my being to be a source f provision and delight to many. How does a tree get to be that unshaken? How does it's roots go so deep? How does it stand so tall? Not every tree gets there, but i am talking about the big big trees with huge roots and plenty of shade. I believe a tree becomes a tree of that magnitude if it perseveres through the elements. If it preserves through, rain, sun, wind, snow. fire, drought etc. It eventually becomes rooted and unshakable.
Trees grow when natured by the rays of the sun and showered by the rain. So it is with us, when we come to Christ we are planted but not yet rooted, the rays of the son such as fellowship and his word begin to release nutrients in us that give us our form and shape. The rain showers are the presence of the Holy Spirit that brings freshness, and strength and identity. Rain also is the storms that come and give us character. As the seasons change we experience different elements that either ground us or uproot us, some trees are upheavaled and moved to a new place, some trees are abused and not watered or natured, some trees go through fires, or spiritual, emotional and psychological droughts. However, the thing that a matter in the end is, did they learn to take root where they are planted? Even more in our cases, when we were shaken, bruised and battered; did we let that cause us to give? Did we let bitterness and unforgiveness cause to be barren unable to bear fruit? Did corrupt company and undisciplined passions cause us to be bear corrupt seeds that were poisoness to others? Or did we gather our strength and declare that our roots,( which I believe is our inner core) was not going to be shaken by the very thing that tried to destroy us ? Did we declare with are branches outstretched we were going to display the splendor of our maker and redeemer whether in spring, when are nakedness and issues or hidden. Or in winter when we are stripped of everything and the whole world could see our true nature. It is our choice. Trees with roots that go deep, have substance and depth. They are weighty. We are called to be a people of character, substance and depth through adversity, pain, betrayal, lack, joy, plenty, peace etc.
What we do with our present situation determines the depth and level we will grow to be.
One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen is a tree that has been cut, and it is just a stump remaining, however when you look closer it is budding new leaves! How resilient! Trees come in all shapes and sizes bearing different fruit and set up apart for different purposes. So do we. We must choose to understand who are and where we have been planted, the elements that have shaped us. And that moment we must choose to be the most extraordinary Tree humanity has ever seen! Bloom where you are planted. Flourish. Grow. Be useful.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3
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