Tree of Life
Most trees have many branches, though some may appear bigger and stronger than others, all must grow or be cast from the tree.
The bible tells us to look to nature for answers about life, and I have found trees to be a remarkable source. The following is one such observation.
A large tree of many generations grows among many of the like. At the top, one can see the multiple shoots that sprang from the old branches, and as much to be expected, one can also observe much smaller branches growing from the base of the tree as well. This tree is solid in its roots as is its many large limbs. It is very healthy and serves many purposes. It provides nourishment for the insects, shelter for the animals, shade, soil enrichment, and cleans the air for all.
Though these facts remained true, still there are those branches that no longer grow for whatever reason. Large branches that were infested, or were damaged and never repaired. They were at one time new growth, that over the years, were cut off from the life that the body of the tree once supplied for them. They are that which make the most noise, and are often found to be the source of imagined fear to small children. They crack and creek their bare and bony fingers in the wind for whoever will hear them, threatening to fall from their base and land on property and approach the safety for those that might be near at the time.
But then there are the new shoots that spring from the base, and from the other strong and healthy branches. They give the tree new life, and they dress the tree attractively. They are not cut-off from the gifts of the base, and have the chance to serve the same important purposes the tree had designated from the beginning. They spread their seed and encourage new growth from both the body as well as the surrounding areas. Even their color inspires thoughts of birth, health, joy, and rejuvenation.
It is so, that the older and larger branches appear sturdier and stronger. And because of the fuss they make in the wind, they are often paid more attention to, while the younger shoots are ignored their graceful bows and softened “swishing” sounds for their sake.
But when the winds gust and howl, and the rains fall heavy upon the land, when the earth trembles, and icy pellets blast each tree, then one can see the true strength of the branches.
The once perceived strength of the larger branches, are made to expose their true substance, and become the dust of the land, or fuel for our furnaces. The racket of their cracking and creaking are as long forgotten as they and are held in no more regard than fairytales, for the children have all grown, and no longer succumb to the fears of their imagination.
It is the green shoots that remain to go on. Though tried with just as much vigor as their older and larger counterparts, they continue and grow. They go on to serve their function, and as earlier noted, begin to start trees of their own. They grow at a fantastic rate because the dead branches are no longer there to cramp or waste. After the storms, the green branches may have lost some leaves or even have been twisted and bent. But their ability to grow and bend is what keeps them alive.
One might assume that only the young have purpose from this observation, but in fact, there is more to the conclusion. The tree has many gifts to give it’s multitude of branches, and all its branches may benefit. The only branches that are removed from the tree are those that serve no purpose and only take from it. They put on a spectacular and inescapable show in both appearance and sound, but in the end, it is only noise and masquerade.
The conclusion I have been given, is that we are like the branches of trees. The main difference for us is our choice. We may be those branches that support other branches, (some of us may even be old enough to be limbs! lol) or we may be those damaged and infested branches, or we may be like the green young shoots. But the lesson of the tree is that we can be filled with disease and waste away, or we can continue to grow no matter our stage, and always be ready to bend. We can demand attention as much as we want, but in the end, it will be our deeds that testify to our merit and our purpose. The trees teach us that life does go on just as long as we stay health in our purpose, and warns that trees themselves which do not, may be left to rot from root, body, and shoots. Whether such a tree agrees to be purposeful or not, it will be made so, even from its death.
There are many lessons further to be identified within this post, however, for those who are not Christian; I will leave the current post as concluded. For those who are Christian, I leave this post to be concluded by your own observations and further insight.
God’s blessings,
Rev. Campbell.
