Volume 2

17. What Kind Of Tree Are You?

There are trees planted all over the world. Redwoods, Cedars, Pines, Apple, Palm, Oak, Lemon, Orange...too many to name. Every tree flourishes in different locations depending on its type.  They all have different functions, sizes, and appearances. When asked what the greatest tree of all is, or if asked what tree you could be, sooo many people immediately say, "REDWOOD!"

Why? Because they grow the biggest? Solely because they tower over all the others? It's true, the redwood forests of Northern California are incredibly majestic and awe-inspiring. But to tell you the truth, I would never want to be a redwood. Sure, they're pretty. But people LOVE to cut them down and turn them into floors and tables. Trees are infinitely more useful when alive. They provide shade and oxygen for the environment, homes and food for animals, their roots help with preventing soil erosion. And you know a tree like a redwood has huge roots!

Now let's turn this to a more personal subject. Many times we wish to be greater, better, stronger, richer, more influential, more popular, etc. We can get distracted from Gods calling in our life. We see these Redwood celebrities on the news and are upset because we may only be a small fig tree at the time.

But I'm here to tell you, don't wish to be a mighty redwood in your life, solely for people to admire you. Because people want to cut those down and give them only one purpose for a short time. Trees live for hundreds and hundreds of years, how long does a good table last, 50? And then what, it is discarded and forgotten. When a tree dies in the wild, it decomposes and nourishes those around it. Living trees have so many functions and purposes.

It is absolutely ok to be a little tree somewhere, shade is still shade! Oxygen is still oxygen! Fruit is still fruit! Do the job God called you to do.

Psalm 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Stay planted in God and stay focused on who He made you to be, and you'll produce what you need to, for who you need to, when you need to. Maybe God called you to be a certain type of tree, in a certain city, to feed a certain group of people with your fruit (of the spirit, gifts, etc). Maybe He called you to cover that certain person with your shade in their particular time of need..but how can you if you're off somewhere else trying to be a redwood or different tree? Every tree is important. Bear the fruit you are called to bear, but in your own season. Some trees need several years of maturing before they can safely bear fruit, so take your time. Don't rush Gods plan!

In Isaiah 41 there's a verse talking about many types of trees and how they ALL are the glory of the Lord.

And my favorite,

Matthew 7:17-19
"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Take your time. Be thankful for how God made you! Pray and ask for God to mature you and ask how you can produce to feed others.

Someone who is lost and in desperate need of shade and food won't care what kind of tree he finds, he will just be thankful he found a tree at all, especially one that provides food and shade.

(By food/fruit and shade I meant anything that a person may need to restore them. Gods word. Direction. Shelter. Literal food. Love. We are called to serve others after all!)

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Thanks for reading!
What is your favorite tree? I think mine are cypress trees, they are so beautiful here in Louisiana!