Make Like A Tree...

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ² but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."  Psalm 1: 1-3

In Back To The Future II, local bully Biff, was so annoyed with Marty McFly, that he sneered through his teeth at him "why don't you make like a tree...and get out of here."  Bully Biff, not the most clever of bullies, got his metaphor mixed up.  If he really wanted McFly out of his sight he should have said, "why don't you make like a tree...and leave."

At the risk of sending each and every reader of this blog away immediately in an offended huff, I would like to ask you to - Make Like A Tree.

If you're still reading, please know that these are not really my words of request, but the Bible's.  In the beautiful and familiar words of Psalm 1, the Psalmist sings that the way to be blessed (or to enjoy God's special favor and grace) is to make "like a tree."  If you choose to live your life like that of a healthy, fruitful tree, you will prosper in all that you do.

For me, this image of the healthy and fruitful tree is an apt one for the life of Christian discipleship - something which is really not as complicated as people often make it out to be.  Discipleship, like the life of a tree is really quite simple.  God created trees to grow and reproduce - that is all they do.  All of the energy of this living creation goes solely to the God given mandate to grow, and in so doing, to make other trees (that will also grow).  For a tree then, to grow and reproduce, is a non-negotiable.  They have no say in the matter.  A tree that is not growing and reproducing, is dying.

Jesus, in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 18-20), gives all Christians the express mandate to "make disciples."  What this mandate really is, is a mandate to grow, and in so doing, make other disciples (that will also grow).  To follow Jesus in faith...to identify oneself as a Christian...to live ones life as one who is glorifying God is to not only grow as a disciple, but also to produce other growing disciples.  Do you see what this means?  Like the tree then, spiritual growth and fruitful spiritual reproduction are non-negotiables for the follower of Christ.  Every single believer needs to be actively involved not only growing in their faith walk, but also working towards being a maker of disciples.

The big difference between the tree and the disciple in this non-negotiable mandate, is that while the tree has no say in the matter, we certainly do.  In fact, do we not often use our gift of free will to choose not to grow?  Do we not often choose to use our energies and talents on things that will actually stunt our growth and hurt us?  Do we ever choose to invest time in other people with the aim of helping them grow in their faith?  Unlike the tree, we must make the choice to engage in this process that we were hard wired and redeemed to do.

We need to make the choice to make like a tree.



Be God's, Pastor Scott

In my next few blog posts, I would like to take a closer look at what it means to "make like a tree."  Hope to see you back for more!