A Fallen Oak Tree
Texas is known for its high winds and rain. One night we had a huge wind and rainstorm. I could hear the thunder clapping, see the lightning illuminating the sky, and hear the large raindrops pounding the windows. Thankfully, we were not under a tornado watch. Our area needed the rain, and as I lay in bed, I thought of how gracious the Lord is in sending it.
The next morning, we looked out the window into our backyard and saw that a very old twenty-five-foot tree had uprooted and fallen to the left of our home, landing on a fence. It was so large that it extended into our neighbor's yard. If the tree had not fallen in that direction, it would have hit our home, right where our bedroom is located. I stood praising the Lord for protecting us. The scripture that came to mind is:
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." —Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)
I have loved trees since I was a girl. As a child, I enjoyed climbing a large oak tree in our backyard. The lush green leaves hid me among their branches. I would sit, lean back against the sturdy trunk, and read or watch nature. It brought me great peace. I could trust that oak to bear my weight with each branch I stepped on.
Similarly, we can trust God to bear the weight of anything we bring to Him. Leaning on His strength and resting in His love is the key to peace. As Solomon wrote:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
God often uses nature as symbols in Scripture. Here are a few ways He reveals truth through trees:
Trees provide protection and shade. "For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat" (Isaiah 25:4). When Elijah had experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal and then fled for his life from Queen Jezebel, it was under a broom tree that he rested and was met by the Lord.
Some trees yield fruit. One of our former homes had peach trees. I picked the ripe fruit and tasted its freshness. I even made peach ice cream. The fruit of the trees represents our enjoyment, which also brings God joy. “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him" (Psalm 34:8).
Trees are a home for birds. I have watched a mother bird slowly and strategically build her nest, then sit on it until the eggs hatched. "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14). She fed each baby bird with just the right amount of food, and when they were old enough, she pushed them out of the nest. When we are ready, the Lord sends us out to minister and to be a testimony of Jesus to everyone we meet. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Tree branches spread out in different directions, reaching for sunlight. If a larger tree is planted too close to a smaller one, the smaller tree will grow lopsided as it reaches for the light. The part that cannot reach the light will eventually die. When we stop abiding in the Lord and allow the enemy to overshadow what the Lord is doing in our lives, we begin to wither and spiritually die. "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers" (John 15:6a).
That is what I keep coming back to about the tree in our yard. From the window, it looked the way it had always looked. The leaves were green. It gave shade all summer. Whatever went wrong went wrong underground, where no one could see it, and it held on until the storm blasted through our yard.
The twenty-five-foot tree that fell will be missed for its beauty and for the shade it provided from the Texas summer sun. A tree that is rooted deeply does more than stand—it shelters. When we abide in Him, we become that kind of shade for others, bringing beauty to this world with words of encouragement and causing those around us to rest in the peace of Jesus.
So how are your roots? Not the leaves everyone can see—the roots. If a storm came through tonight, what is holding you? There is still time to go deeper.
Let's pray:
Father, it is wonderful how You reveal Yourself to us through nature. I desire my roots to grow deeper as You nourish me with the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures. Through prayer and time with You, I can grow taller spiritually and allow my branches to bear fruit. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Thank You, Lord, for growing and nourishing me spiritually. Amen.
