The Tree of Life

There is a tree that Rob drives by on his way to work each day.  It is an unusual shape; it looks like it belongs in Africa rather than North America.  It reminds me of the Tree of Life at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World. 

Think about the life within a tree.  Its crown is as wide as its roots system underneath the soil.  Although a tree needs rain and sun to survive, it can sustain a lot of abuse:  heavy winds, snow, ice, intense heat, drought.  A pruned tree can enjoy renewed health.  My neighbour even hacked most of the branches off of her tree a few years ago; I used to call it the Bosnian tree since it looked war-torn.  However, sure enough the next spring, it came back to life.  Now, you wouldn't even know that it had been tampered with.

However, there is one thing a tree cannot sustain:  cutting off its roots.  Human beings are like trees.  We are living creatures.  We are strong.  We can endure injuries.  We can endure abuse.  But we cannot endure being cut off from our life source.  Keep close to your roots.  Seek sustenance everyday (not just physical, but spiritual).  And remember that with a strong connection to our life source, we'll not only grow, we'll bear fruit.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

 

 

Photo courtesy http://crowd.graphicleftovers.com.