Upon arriving back in my home state of West Virginia I was surprised to see a huge change. The trees were bare. When I left for Texas the trees were just beginning to turn and the majority were still green. Very few leaves had fallen to the ground. What happened while I was gone? The temperature dropped. When the temperature drops things change, and many things die on the vine (the tree in this case.)
Interestingly enough, I have seen this happen many times over my life time. Experience has taught me that the leaves will bud again, the trees will be green once more and it will look as though nothing happened. But, something did happen. If we were to look at the rings of the tree we would notice that there has been a growth season. The tree got bigger. The rings proof that the tree survived the season. Temperature change is normal. All trees (those that are the Lords) will go through change and the temperature change will reveal our strength.
Just like trees we go through seasons. As the image above shows, our life tells a story. We can see the tree above shows a rainy season, a dry season, and even a scar from a forest fire. We all have some rainy seasons, a few dry seasons and most even have a fire or two in our lifetime. However, like the trees that greeted me upon my arrival home, they were still standing, their arms stretched toward the heavens. They may have been naked, but they were not hung over and had not moved.
We can learn a great deal from the tree. As you and I go through seasons, let us keep our arms lifted to the heavens. Let's stay rooted and grounded. Let's stay faithful to where we are planted. Regardless of what the season may bring forth, if we refuse to quit, we will be left standing.
We can learn a great deal from the tree. As you and I go through seasons, let us keep our arms lifted to the heavens. Let's stay rooted and grounded. Let's stay faithful to where we are planted. Regardless of what the season may bring forth, if we refuse to quit, we will be left standing.
Psalm 92:12
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Action Step: Stand tall. Keep those arms lifted to the heavens. Refuse to quit! Refuse to lay down. The Lord is faithful and just. The season will change! Be encouraged that you have survived the season of drought, rain, fire, or whatever season you have weathered, and that this season too, shall pass. Just as I was greeted with the bare and naked trees standing on the mountains, I pray the Lord will find us faithful, our arms lifted high!
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