I see...MEN as TREES

Mark 8:24(NIV) He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

One morning, while driving, a dump trunk traveled beside me. I eventually ended up behind it.

Looking up, I saw that it carried roots from trees that appeared to have been recently removed from the ground.  Based on the ‘neat’ appearance of the roots, it was easy to tell that there was a clean extraction – meaning no parts of the root were torn, frayed or left behind. The place where the root once occupied is now vacant and free.  The vacant place matters but I know that in some manner it will be filled…it has to be.

There are many ways that I interpreted this natural picture…

First, if something is negatively affecting our life and needs to be removed and/or uprooted, it CAN happen. We are to evaluate the issue and go through the appropriate procedures to have ‘it’ extracted. It is all about choice.  The longer we go without removing the issue, the more it will affect us.

Psalm 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Secondly, the roots that were visible were not very long, suggesting that the trees were young.  They had not fully matured and this made extraction very easy. Maturation is very important in life.  If we want to grow, we must position ourselves to do so otherwise we may fall victim to life’s trials. 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  

Third, I thought, if my life is like a tree, my preference would be to be planted only in my place of purpose.  In a place of purpose, roots are allowed to run deep, be adequately nurtured, and free to flourish.  In a place of purpose, there is immediate access to one’s source of strength, which provides nourishment, fortification, and the power needed to withstand obstacles.  Trees endure hard winds, lightening, thunder, harsh temperatures and even rainy days, but survival is EXPECTED.  If I was a tree, growth, perserverance, and determination would be the weights that keep me anchored as I pursued absolute access to my power source.  This linkage offers a stronger, longer, deeper and better revelation of our God-given purpose.

Jeremiah 17:8

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

There are some 'things' that need to be uprooted from our lives so that greater things can arise.  Be open to let go.

Believe, Love, & Obey God
~Tanika