skip to main content
Back to top
tree

Like a Tree

Jun 5, 2018

Minnesota has beautiful trees. The varying shades of green form a beautiful backdrop upon which the flowering crabapple and lilac splashes their color.

Did you know trees teach us about life?

 

All I Need to Know About Life I Learned from Trees

It’s important to have roots.

In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out.

Don’t pine away over old flames.

Grow where you are planted.

It’s more important to be honest than poplar!

It is perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.

Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.

If the party gets boring or dangerous, just leaf.

If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log.

Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind blows.

Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.

If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.

You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

 (Smith, Alan. “All I Need to Know About Life I Learned from Trees.” https://kezi.wordpress.com, 28 November 2012. Accessed 18 May 2018)

 

Followers of God are likened to trees. (Psalm1:3)

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

 

What does it mean to be ‘like a tree’?

A tree is stable. It is stronger than a sapling. It is solid. A tree does not blow around like the tumbleweed. It can weather storms and still it stands firm. Trees stand tall. They tower over the other plants in the forest. They grow slowly but they live longer. Some trees live over 1,000 years! The oldest known Redwood tree sample has over 2,000 rings, meaning it lived over 2,000 years. In a similar vein, the person belonging to God is planted like a tree, they are confident in God who gives their life stability.

 

Where the tree is planted makes a difference.

Notice where the tree is planted—by streams of water. Just as a tree constantly pulls up from the soil nutrients for growth, so the follower of God knows where their strength is derived. They are always in communication with God. They tap into His constant source of forgiveness, strength, and vitality from his Word. And, consequently, fruitfulness results. They are still fresh and bearing fruit in old age (Psalm 92:12-15). Fruit is all the beautiful qualities and actions that emanate from you to others.

Be like a tree. Remain steady. Stand tall. Keep growing.

 

Written by Chaplain Sherree Lane