A tenacious tree

If you’ve visited my blog before, you probably know that I’m a walker and a lover of nature. I walk for fitness (it’s good for my heart), as a stress relief (good for all of me), and because I love to be out in God’s marvelous creation whenever possible. This past week on one of my nature treks, I passed this tiny, yet lovely tree.

This brave little tree proudly displayed her brilliant fall colors, while larger surrounding trees succumbed to the onslaught of time.

Crimson leaves adorning this slim sapling first caught my eye. I noticed its small stature, dwarfed by towering poplar and oak giants. But those majestic trees were bare. This tiny, tenacious tree outperformed them all to display her beauty.

Lessons I pondered as I walked on:

All Creation is part of God’s plan.

Not only His people, but every living thing is designed and purposed by our Creator. Just as this little tree shares its beauty with us long past the previous display of color from surrounding trees, we are granted the ability to share our beauty with others. We are never too young or too old for that goodness and beauty to be displayed in our service.

Our God has a purpose for us.

Trees are used for a variety of purposes–building materials, furniture, paper, firewood, mulch, etc. But these majestic living plants also provide us with shade on a hot summer day, fruit to tempt our taste buds, beautiful flowers in the spring, and amazing colors in the fall. Trees don’t often get to choose how they are used, but they serve well wherever they are called. So are we called–to serve well.

Timing is an essential aspect of God’s plan

Although this lovely, little tree displays its beauty long after other trees in the forest dropped their leaves, it too will face the inevitable. Its tenacity rewarded me with a beautiful display of crimson foliage, but the hourglass continues to sift sand and those lovely leaves will fall. Even though tenacious, this tree will succumb to the time clock of nature. We are also on a time clock–our time on Earth is limited. How will we use that time?

There is a beginning and an end

Whether it knows it or not, the little tree will shed its leaves soon. They will fall and nourish the Earth. That is part of nature’s plan. In the future, this tree may grow to be a giant in the forest or it may be snuffed out by bigger trees that rob it of nutrients. The tree may be harvested for purposes of human-kind or it may eventually fall, rot, and serve to grow fresh, young trees.

There is inevitability in God’s plan for us as well. Our lives do not always proceed according to our wishes–we are part of a bigger plan set in place by the Master planner.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

We are all part of God’s amazing creation. He’s not finished with us yet, His Spirit is always with us as we continue to grow in love for Him, for one another, and in service to our Lord and His people.

As we enter this Season of Advent, as we watch and wait for the coming of Emmanuel, God’s greatest gift to us, what are some things we can do (even in the midst of a pandemic) to stand tall and strong (like a tree) and display love and beauty to others?

Emmanuel, Our Savior, is how we also know the ending of our story:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

May you find joy and blessings in this Season of Love, my friends.