Me and The Trees

As soon as we turned down a lovely lane, I saw this interesting bark and *had* to stop and take a picture:The whole earth is full of His glory! Then I saw this weathered and much older looking bark on this tree, and I *had* to stop to take another picture:I had never, ever seen a tree like this one, so I *had* to take a picture:Well, I actually took two, because, like I said, I’ve never, ever seen a tree like this before. I’ve felt like this before though, like almost all the bark is gone.When I saw this tree with the deep bend to the left, I could relate to feeling this way to. Going and growing straight and then the sudden change in direction. What amazed me about this tree is the amount of growth in the direction it was bent. It did not stop growing when it’s course was changed. Oh, I needed to see this tree.I loved this post, it represented use and purpose to me. And before the use and purpose, dying had to take place. From death, comes life. A post usually is placed in a hole dug specifically for it, secured by the cement, and attached to others by the bonds of wire. I could just see the symbolism in the church, the body of Christ. Founded on The Rock, joined together in a bond of unity by His Spirit and lined up to serve. One post can make a difference; but think of the impact that could be made from joining for the sake of His Name.These stumps bothered me. I thought of the Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the book of Daniel. And Isaiah 10:33 says: “Behold, the Lord, the GOD of hosts, will lop off the boughs with a terrible crash; those also who are tall in stature will be cut down and those who are lofty will be abased.”This tree bark had visible growths on the bark, almost in a line. Made me think of how the enemy is up to the same old thing over and over in our lives. Like he says, I’ll hit her here. Oh, I’ll do it again. And again. But still standing because of 1 John 4:4: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”This stately old tree was still hanging on to some old leaves when it’s almost the season for new growth to form. Oh, this one spoke to me. What old *things* do I need to leave behind in order to experience the new works of God?Visible signs of pruning were evident on this tree. John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”John 15:6

The texture of this tree most intrigued me. By far, it was the most interesting to me. I’ve tried to figure out what it looks like. Well, why I was enlarging it trying to decide, I noticed the bark was covered in moss. Much like the trappings of the world, it looks attractive to me; but up close, it’s beauty and purpose are covered by the enemies lies.Although this is one of my favorite pictures from the drive up the lane, I know the Lord is speaking Truth to my heart. As I look at the two directions the tree is going, I know that the Lord tells us that we cannot have life two ways, with two masters.As we neared the end of the lane, I saw this secured gate. The lock and chain reminded me of the the hope of heaven’s gates talked about in Revelation 21:25 “In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;” GLORY – that is good news!All the pictures are listed in the order I saw them and took them. As we drove back up the lane, I asked Audra to stop so I could take a picture of these branches that had been cut off and in a pile. It looked to me like they were ready for someone to gather up. The scene spoke the seriousness of John 15:6 to my heart: “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.”
Lord, Magnificent Creator, You daily just totally amaze me
Teaching a visual learner spiritual lessons from looking at trees
Thank You Lord for Your amazing and splendid creation
The variety of trees makes me think of every tribe, tongue and nation
What a varied and delightful group as Your church, we are
Some old, stripped of bark, and some bearing moss and visible scars
May I live to enjoy and fully experience and see
Your specific, intended purpose fulfilled in me
When you move me from the direction You have me heading
On Your new course, let me no thing be dreading
I don’t want to hold on to any thing in the past
Keep me pressing on to the eternal, to what really lasts
Prune from me the dead and dying branches
And fill me with the Spirit who enhances
Let me LORD, for Your kingdom bear much fruit
Keep me grounded in the Word, there let me grow and root
Don’t let my heart ever be sorely divided
Let my wrongs by Your Spirit, be chided
As part of the Body of Christ, secure me at my post
I want to bring You glory and in You alone boast
Don’t let my life be cut down by the Enemy’s rapid fire
Don’t let my life be kindling, but realize the Enemy is a Liar
I long to hear You say to Your faithful servant, “Well Done”
In heaven safe and secure, forever illumined by The Son.
Amen.