29
Sep '18
The Angel Oak
29
Sep '18
Have you ever looked at an Oak tree and wondered how it got so big, so vast, so tall? Of course, getting as beautiful and grand as it may be, it surely didn’t start out like that. It takes decades to become that grand Oak.
There’s a tree in John’s Island, South Carolina that I’ve visited many times called “The Angel Oak”. If you’ve ever visited, you can most likely remember the amazement when looking at the tree for the first time. This tree is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms east of the Mississippi River. It is estimated to be 400-500 years old, stands 65 feet tall, its trunk is 28 feet in circumference, and an area of 17,000 square feet is shaded by its branches. It has survived a number of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes and continues to grow. It’s so popular that when I looked for a “stock photo” to add to this blog, this exact tree came up when I searched “Oak”.
It’s hard to believe that this tree started out as a seed – literally centuries ago. But it did. We sometimes look at our lives and feel like maybe we’re “under the ground” or we’re “buried” like a seed. So much going on in life, so much that isn’t going the way we think it should go, and we just feel like we’re not getting anywhere. When we feel “buried”, we sometimes just feel like giving up, like we’re just going to stay there in that dark place forever. But – what if… what if we turn that around?? What if we’re not “buried”.. what if we’re actually “planted”?
God plants things in our lives to help us grow, and most of the time, these things that are planted are difficult, or come from difficult situations. These seeds that are planted by God need to be fertilized by Him stretching and molding us, until one day we start producing roots. Have you ever looked at a root under the ground? Usually the root grows much deeper and much quicker from that initial seed, before you ever see what is produced above the ground. I love looking at life from this analogy (and as the parable in Matthew 13). When we allow the seed to be planted, and God’s roots to begin growing in our lives, it’s then that we start to become grounded in Him. After all, we need to have a firm foundation, just as the plant does, in order to withstand the elements when we sprout out of the ground and continue to grow. I think God does that with His children, as He can’t trust us with something that we’re not ready for yet, right? I’ve often thought I was ready for something (and decided on my own to move forward), but later realized my roots weren’t grounded enough and I had made a mistake (I wasn’t growing toward Him). So, I think sometimes He just holds me back until He’s established my roots enough to know that I’ll be able to continue my growth.
I’m well aware that comfort and growth don’t work well together; they aren’t synonymous. Oh, how I wish they were! Most of our growth in life is challenging, and if I’m being completely transparent, most of it is painful. Heart painful. Emotional painful. Sometimes it’s physically painful. God uses all kinds of ways to help us grow. Job loss. Relationship loss. Family member loss. Illness. None of these sound comforting to me. To be honest, they don’t even sound like growth to me – they sound like hurt. But that’s usually where we turn to Him; in the hurt and in the struggle (and He knows it).
Once we begin to sprout though.. Wow! He’s given us the ability to trust in Him, have faith in Him, knowing that whatever comes our way, we’re going to stand firm – because our roots are strong and the wind may blow, and the rain may fall, and we may even get trampled on a time or two, but because our root system is strong, we continue to sprout up.
Paul wrote in Philippians –“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns”. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)
So, let’s go back to the Oak tree for a bit. The Angel Oak in South Carolina has been through floods, hurricanes and earthquakes and still stands strong. After 400-500 years, can you imagine the root system this tree has produced? That’s what God wants to produce in us, if we will allow Him. He wants to produce roots in us so deep that we will continue to stand strong even when the floods, hurricanes and earthquakes of life hit us. It’s then that we’ll be able withstand the storms that God produces in our lives for our own growth.
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”. (Matthew 13:18-23 NLT)
Hmmm… I surely want to produce a harvest like that. Don’t you?
*Dena*
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Thank you Dena for the inspirational read. You have a great talent.
Thanks! God is so good to give me ideas to write about.. So glad you found it inspirational. 🙂
Dena
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog ,such a beautiful message. Praying all your blogs touch and bring blessings to many people.
God bless each you.
Thanks Dorothy! Appreciate your prayers. That’s our hope as well. 🙂
Dena
Oh my…. Another good one Dena.
Comfort and growth don’t go together, so true. I’m glad I took the time to read, as I’m glad you took the time and were obedient to write.
Thank you.