Anna Moore

We had a severe thunderstorm here a few weeks ago that left several houses and yards damaged from fallen branches, uprooted trees, and whatever debris was strewn. As it’s been windy a few days since, I’ve been watching the trees in our backyard more and more as they sway. If you look at any tree from the ground up, it’s a miracle they don’t all fall from even the softest blow of wind. The trunks are narrow, and the tops are heavy. It’s what we can’t see that gives them stability.

It’s no surprise that Jesus uses the illustration of a tree when He commands His followers to abide in Him (John 15). Trees are an illustration of the Christian life. They start as small seeds and as they are watered overtime, they grow to full maturity with long, thick branches that shoot out to hundreds of smaller branches and twigs. Their roots grow deep and wide. They bloom in seasons. They reproduce. They bear fruit. They are pruned and bear more fruit. 

Do we not also grow from seeds planted (Galatians 6:8-9)? Do we not get nourished by water (Psalm 1:3; John 4:10-11)? Are we not also pruned (Romans 5:3-5)? Do we not also grow overtime (Hebrews 5:12-13)? Do we not produce fruit and reproduce (John 15:8)? If we are in Christ, we are familiar with this life.

Though they can be tall, narrow, and heavy, without deep roots that have grown overtime, trees would be weak and fall over, no longer able to fulfill their purpose.

I love Psalm 1’s illustration of delighting in God’s Word. It says,

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”

If we abide in Him, if we delight ourselves in His Word, we can be like that tree with endless nourishment. We will be healthy. We will be filled. We will grow and grow. We will plant deep roots and be fruitful. We will not fall. We will fulfill our purpose. 🌳