I love trees!
I grew up in Saskatchewan on an acreage 20 minutes from Saskatoon. Our farm, with its variety of animals, large gardens and beautiful flower beds, was my favourite place on earth. My parents built it from the ground up in the early 70s and I was proud of the home they developed for our family of 6. Among the buildings were rows of trees and hedges my dad planted to prevent soil erosion and provide shelter from the powerful winds. They grew as I did, deeply rooted to thrive in all seasons. Directly across from the house, a bush of scrawny trees was my playground, in which I made forts and entertained friends. I delighted in exploring and adventuring on my own. With a dog at my side and cattle grazing nearby, I was in my happy place.
Imagine how my mind was blown when I came to the Fraser Valley of British Columbia as a young adult! Never had I seen such lush forests, wild ferns, moss and lichens. Consequently, I was in a nature lover’s paradise! I couldn’t believe the size of the trees, the width of their trunks and the canopy they created. To this day, I still marvel at the scene before me as I hike and explore in BC’s temperate rainforest. It never gets old! As a result, I often wonder how deeply rooted these ancient brutes must be to thrive in all seasons of life.
Deeply Rooted
The life cycle of a tree is a fitting analogy for our own growth. As a sprout becomes a seedling, daring to rise above the soil to begin its journey toward maturation, it needs many requirements to survive. The quality of the soil, its proximity to sun and water as well as the risk of damage and disease are all factors which play a vital role in the young tree’s ability to develop and thrive.
Throughout Scripture, there are multiple references to the importance of these conditions. Among the many, Colossians 2:6-7 says “…continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith…” Jeremiah 17:7-8 “…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.” So then, what can we learn from a simple tree?
A Place to Thrive
In a well-known parable, Jesus gave a metaphorical lesson on the importance of soil quality. Look at His words in Mark 4:
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
Jesus’ lesson, spoken likely in the presence of farmers, predicts our ability to grow depending on where we find ourselves. Can you relate to any of the descriptions Jesus gave? Have you experienced a sudden growth in your faith but then somehow forgot, leaving your Bible to collect dust at your bedside? Have you discovered that even with strong convictions and high moral standards, it isn’t enough to keep you on the steady path? Or maybe you struggle to grow because there is little hope or encouragement where you are…just weeds and thorns. Each of us faces poor growth conditions. How then will we be deeply rooted to thrive in all seasons, in all conditions?
Proximity to the Son
Just as a young sapling requires sunshine and a steady supply of moisture to thrive, so we need its spiritual counterpart. Read these words from Psalm 1:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
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.”
This passage teaches that intentionality and discipline are requirements for growth and maturity. Look at verse 2: ‘whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.’ Those words are intimidating! Day and night? The writer is inviting us to a life fully invested in the truth of God. We find vitality by being immersed in His word, committing to learning and following His way and not succumbing to the brutal wickedness around us. Verse 3 shows us that as we lean into God’s truth and make it our primary feeding ground, we will be like a tree that thrives beside the stream. It has no worry for fruitlessness or wither as long as it stands beside the Source. So, in other words, proximity is key. Where are you planted? Where are you in proximity to Jesus?
Regular Maintenance
In recent conversations, I have heard these words:
- “Memorizing Scripture gives me something to focus my mind on and it helps in managing unwanted, toxic thoughts.”
- “I haven’t been doing very well in reading my Bible and praying. Now that I am attempting to get back into it, I see a direct link between that time and my ability to cope with my daily stressors.”
I know this to be true for myself as well. When I take time to sit and engage with Scripture, (not just reading it because that is what a good Christian does!) I find my ability to live well drastically improve. This doesn’t mean the answers magically appear however, or the struggle with my thinking or behaviour disappears overnight; the difficulty of life is still present, but my perspective and outlook are not my own.
Just like a young tree often requires fertilizer, staking and pruning to help it on its way to maturity, so do you and I. Therefore, we need God’s Word to steer us on our way. Its absolute authority is what we need in a world that is relativistic and too often wishy-washy. We need assurance when we fall and the accountability of those who love us and point us back to Jesus. In addition, we need pruning when there are things in our lives that are rotten or dead. This regular maintenance is crucial if a tree is to arrive at maturity. Similarly, it is regular maintenance that allows us to be deeply rooted in all seasons of life.
What now?
I did not understand how old some trees could be. For instance, there is an oak in England estimated to be over 1000 years old! Incredible! Imagine the size, the spread, the root system! This picture brings fresh understanding to the last part of Isaiah 61:3 that says “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.” In other words, God wants each of us, as believers in Jesus, to stand securely, firmly rooted so that all can see His work in us. He wants you deeply rooted to thrive in all seasons.
In conclusion, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I thriving right now? What needs to change?
- Are there weeds or thorns that need uprooting in my life?
- What is my current attitude toward bible reading and prayer? Am I willing to go deeper? What step can I take today?
- What can I do to establish a routine of regular maintenance?
- Do I need help or accountability with my growth plan?
If you have a profound desire to grow, but struggle to know where to begin or flounder in carrying it out, I would be honoured to walk with you. I don’t have all the answers, and am more messy than I am put together, but I love to sit at Jesus’ feet and seek Him for His wisdom. It would be a privilege to lead you there so we can we can discover what He has for you. Please contact me with questions you have or to set up a free consultation. I would love to chat with you.
Are you looking for therapeutic help? My friends at Mercy Seat Ministry would love to talk with you and help you find healing, victory and freedom in Christ.
You are not alone.
