Isn’t it incredible to reflect on the fact that God has made everything and orchestrated the working together of it all in this world? God is truly so amazing! Isn’t it also inspiring to see how, as human beings, we can learn lessons from everything God created, including both nature and people?
It is especially appropriate to share this reflection today, as living in the northeast part of the USA, we are experiencing the beauty of the colorful trees during this season of fall.
Landmark at the top of Mount Arbel, Galilee
What wonderful advice the trees of this world teach us about our relationship with God and others!
*Stand tall and proud.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. –Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
We can stand tall and proud like the mighty trees when we daily live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is sharing the good news of Jesus, who came to earth, died, was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and is now seated next to God. It is Jesus who, when we put our faith in Him, sets us free from our sins because of His victory over the cross. We have the privilege of walking with other disciples on our journey to spend eternity in heaven and to help us stand firm in our faith.
What is one thing you do that helps you stand firm in your faith?
*Go out on a limb.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” –Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
Zacchaeus was an important tax collector who made people pay more than their fair share of taxes. Despite his sin, he became a wonderful role model for us. He was short in stature and heard about Jesus coming to town. Zacchaeus physically went out on a limb to get a glimpse of Jesus! His encounter with Jesus changed the trajectory of his life as he repented of his wrongdoing from then on, and even repaid people.
How do you go out on a limb for Jesus?
*Remember your roots.
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. –Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
Once we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we need to continue following Him faithfully each day. When we do this, the roots of our faith will become stronger and stronger as we grow in trust and gratitude and walk hand-in-hand with Him. We should never forget the root of our faith, which is Jesus.
Are your roots deep in the ground, or do you need to make some changes to be grounded more in Jesus?
Photo courtesy of Tim Green under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
*Drink plenty of water.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” –John 7:37-38 (ESV)
For trees to grow big and strong, they need lots of water to sustain them as well as sunshine to help them grow. In our lives, Jesus is our living water that brings joy and peace to our spirits. He is the only thing that can satisfy our hunger and thirst. As we are filled with living water, it begins to flow from our hearts into the lives of others.
How deep is the living water in your heart?
*Be content with your natural beauty.
Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes. –1 Peter 3:3-4 (TPT)
Isn’t it beautiful to view the beauty of the trees, especially if they have beautifully colored leaves? Think about the trees that grow on the hills, particularly those that no one has ever tended to. Their beauty is just evident for all to see. We, as humans, should have that natural beauty of our Creator emitting from our lives. God is most pleased with our character and our hearts sharing His love and goodness, not focusing on the external things that can make our physical beings beautiful.
Are you focused on sharing the internal beauty of God in you with others?
*Enjoy the view.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. –1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV)
Trees get to just enjoy being trees. Do you need to be inspired to not compare yourself to other people and just enjoy the life God has given you? We should take one day, one thing at a time, enjoying the people and blessings God gives us each day. We are encouraged to enjoy the view of God at work in us, others, and all of creation. We, as human beings, have the privilege of doing good and being generous with our time and talents to bring more glory to God.
What is the latest gift God has given you to enjoy as you put your hope in Him?
Promised Land State Park – Greentown, PA
REFLECTION:
Which characteristic of the tree mentioned above do you need to work on most?
What change can you make today to be more like a tree?
Be encouraged while viewing God’s beautiful creation of the trees this week to…
…truly be proud of the way you are living.
…go out on a limb to share your faith.
…grow your roots deep in faith.
…focus on the inner beauty of your heart.
…enjoy the view while being generous in spirit.
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
Christine, trees are so beautiful! This is a wonderful lesson for us to think upon. When I was a very lonely teenager (long before I was saved), I used to climb on a tree in our woods and talk to it, kind of hoping that God would hear me. Anyway just being out in nature was so comforting.
As I was reflecting upon your message today, I thought about what God’s Word says. Acts 5:30-31 says this: “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hung on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Your lesson from the tree is just right on! It is because Jesus was nailed to a TREE, that we can be proud of the way we are living; we can have courage to go out on a limb and share our faith; be rooted and grounded in Jesus and His Word; have inner beauty in our hearts; and have an abundant life with a panoramic view of the wonder, uniqueness, and needs of others. It is amazing that God had such a special place for trees that He used one to give us forgiveness and the ability to walk out what you have encouraged us to do in the lesson God gave you about trees! God bless you!
Debbie~ Thank you so much for sharing that story from when you were a teenager and the perfect Scripture passage. Your connection with the passage and the advice from the trees is beautiful. It is always a blessing to see how God uses the reflections to make more connections to see how He is always at work in our lives. Thanks for being a blessing in my life~ God bless!
Thank you Christine. This came at the perfect time. It’s been a rough day and I needed your inspiration. There are times my roots seem grounded deeply and other times I’m not sure. Just reading 📚 your messages encourage me greatly. May God continue to bless your ministry. In Christ, Bruce.
Bruce… Glory to God for providing the perfect timing of encouragement for you! I’m sorry to hear about the extra rough day. May it help knowing others are praying for you and care. Be assured your roots are deeply grounded in your faith with Jesus as the anchor. Love and prayers.