Have you ever planted a tree in your yard? Some are a bit weak when they're young so they have to be staked. You put a pole on each side and take wire or strong string, loop it through an old piece of hose (so the trunk is not damaged from the pressure), and you tie that from the tree to the stake. It supports it in the winds and in its growth.
© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - Tree at Boxerwood Nature Center, Lexington, VA
When the winds come the tree will hold up under the pressure and it will grow strong IF you've left a bit of slack in the line. Slack in the line? How does that provide strength and stability? Shouldn't it be tied tight so the tree doesn't sway at all?
No, because God has purpose in the winds of our life, and He has purpose in the winds for the trees also. God designed trees to grow thicker and stronger with the winds of time. When gusts blow on it, the tree builds caliper (thickness) at its base and that causes it to send down more roots for added stability. At first the tree can only stand breezes, but as it gradually builds up strength from each breeze and wind, it eventually will be able to withstand gale force winds.
God does the same for us. The winds (turmoil, troubles and trials) that come into our life are for a purpose. They strengthen us if we allow them to as James 1:2-4 says:
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Notice it says "let endurance have." Sounds to me like we have a choice in the matter. We can complain and look for support poles on all sides of us to hold us tight against the winds of pain, grief and dying hope, but it's not what God wants us to do. He wants us to lean into Him, to bend just enough into the problem that we will be strengthened in our faith and we will have endurance to last a lifetime as we build upon it year after year.
When a tree is staked without the slack in the line, it hinders the growth of the tree. The root system won't develop properly and the tree stays wobbly, unsteady and weak in the winds. There is a great possibility that it will be blown to the ground, uprooted to die.
So, next time you're wanting somebody to hold you up in the winds of life, remember that God raises us like well-staked trees if we'll let Him. He will hold on to us so we don't collapse, but He will allow us to go through storms, tornadoes and hurricanes so that we might become the great in Him.
Consider Isaiah 61:2-3: " .... To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
We are His workmanship ... if we do not glorify God we will have a pitiful life trying to glorify ourselves or others.
Without the winds we would remain frail, weak and emotionally deformed. As we face the winds of disease, death of loved ones, aging, divorce, loss of finances, parenting nightmares, or even our own self-doubt which can kill us cell by cell.
Our choice is to bend with the struggle. Stay in the Word and you will survive and be more peaceful and joyful from the experience ... if you have withstood the storms as instructed:
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4)
Let us sway together in the heavenly breeze that God sends to cool our spirits so we will lean in to the warmth of His heart. We will be mighty oaks of righteousness in a forest of glory.
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The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website: © 2009 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.comThe link URL is: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com
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