If you pick a flower, it will die soon and lose most all of it's "value;" if you cut the grass, eventually, you'll have to cut it again; if a vine runs out of things to climb on, it can not grow; with most all plants, if they die... their functionality is over.
A tree never loses functionality.
A baby tree can represent new life, can be a thing of beauty and can mark a moment in time.
A full-grown tree can represent life, strength, beauty, but can also provide shade, adventure, a place to swing, fruit, nuts, a place for animals to live.
A fallen tree can be a bridge to a make-believe world, provide different housing for animals, compost for the future plant life.
A cut down tree can be made into lumber, pulp, paper, firewood, etc.
The tree, no matter it's stage in life, will never be useless.
No matter what happens, no matter how you may be changed, even when you feel dead, you are not useless. One of the greatest things that a tree can provide is firewood, for this brings warmth, a way to cook and light; one of the greatest things a person can do is be burned-up, used-up and brought to his lowest level, for it is, many times, in that moment that he is the most useful. There is always purpose, there is always reason, there will always be something you can do. YHWH does not make junk. You are a beautiful creature who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Live in the glorious truth that Christ made you for a reason.
"One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world."
--excerpt from "The Three Trees" and Easter story
"even when you feel dead, you are not useless"
ReplyDeleteI needed that. Thanks.