Thriving Trees
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The following article has been excerpted from Called to the Wild by Christopher Lawrence.
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.
-Psalm 52:8
The enormous pine trees dwarf hikers like ants amidst tall grass.
Some of the red pine (aka Norway pine) in Itasca State Park in Minnesota tower as high as 126 feet and lived for more than 300 years.
If only trees could talk. These giants would tell tales of enduring winters as cold as 50 degrees below zero, summer lightning storms and even catastrophic wildfires.
Through the centuries, these majestic trees have not just survived, but thrived.
Scripture talks a lot about sturdy trees, especially olive trees.
Olive trees often grow in adverse conditions, desert climates where water is scarce. They produce olive oil, which provides food, light and healing. They also live long lives—up to 1,000 years!
As followers of Christ, we can be like olive trees, growing and thriving for the glory of God and his Kingdom.
They prosper, simply because this is what God designed olive trees to do. They didn’t plant themselves, and through no great effort on their own, they thrive.
The same is true of us as believers. God give us salvation and helps our faith grow, as Jesus is “the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NASB).
However, like trees, action is required for our faith to flourish. Knowing the only true source of life, olive trees send their roots near streams and grow branches toward sunlight. As believers we must also turn toward God’s light and plant our roots firmly in his Word, drinking from the waters of the Holy Spirit.
This is the secret of flourishing.
We will go through seasons in our faith; sometimes monsoon rains, other times scorching heat. But ultimately, the Lord will see us through—if we let Him.
Yielding to the Master Gardener, we will prove useful in however he sees fit.
We may not outlive most red pines or olive trees, but as our heart grows more like God’s, we will bear fruit during our lives on earth as well as in the presence of our God for all eternity.
Question:
If your spiritual life is like a tree, are you thriving or just surviving? What action might be required for you to flourish?
Prayer:
Thank you for being the author and perfector of my faith. Please help me to thrive, knowing my salvation is a gift, yet taking action to grow in my faith. Amen.
From one Adventurer to Another
Called to the Wild is a 40-day journey filled with thrilling adventure stories and poignant Biblical meditations, through which outdoor guide and Cru campus minister, Chris Lawrence, helps readers overcome fear and self-doubt by learning to follow Jesus as their trustworthy Guide through life’s every adventure.
