I have been on a quest to find the meaning of trees. Trees are all over the bible. Starting with the creation of trees in Genesis all the way to the Tree of Life in Revelations. They represent so many different things throughout scripture and in the context of our lives. At this moment in my life, God meant them for something very specific.
We have been deep into the carefree days of a steamy summer vacation. Summer vacation always starts off wonderfully. At the end of a tiring school schedule we are so excited about being together in the lackadaisical days of summer. Until the last few weeks, when the children are bored with life at home and our patience with each other seems to dwindle. I had really been struggling these past several weeks. Unfortunately that lack of schedule, which we were so excited about, has just translated to “undisciplined”. I have become undisciplined. That is what God was showing me this week. I have not been centering my life daily around God. Typically, I wake up early in the morning before the rest of the house is stirring and the chaos begins. I start my day in quiet time with the Lord and that is how it should be. Scripture says that we should give to God our first fruits. I know this, and I know how rewarding it is when I am disciplined about it. More importantly God knows this, and so He has been pruning me.
The term lackadaisical actually
means to lack life, spirit, or zest.
When we become undisciplined in seeking God this is what life is reduced
to. Psalm 1 says “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted
by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not
wither— whatever they do prospers.”
God intends for us to spend time digging deeper in His word. We are
called to meditate on the scriptures not only so that we will be filled, but
also so that we will become fruitful for the kingdom.
God paints for us a beautiful metaphor in Proverbs 3:13-18:
“[The Very Tree of Life] You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition. Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete. She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!”
In my lack of discipline, my
intention was to find a little extra rest. Although as the weeks passed I just
found that I was more and more withered. God reminded me this week that my rest
is in Him. God wants me to lean back into the Tree of Life and rest under its
branches. It is there that I will truly find my blessings.
This is my challenge to you: Wake up daily to rest in the
presence of the Lord. Lay under a tree, whether in your yard or at the park. Delight
in its beauty. Draw from it. “Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you
lithe and green.” (Romans 11) and Be Blessed!
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