While driving this morning, I began to take in the state of the trees - how the landscape so quickly turned from a vibrant, alive, hillside, to a now dormant, barren look.  But the appearance of dead is not the right perception, the tree is in fact alive and well, preparing for the season ahead.  The life of a tree is just simply amazing.
 
With that in mind, what kind of tree are you?  A mighty oak, or a scrawny Christmas tree that is neglected season after season? Are you growing into a solid tree, or still a tiny sapling? 
 
Let’s look at what makes us healthy, vibrant trees:
 
Sunlight.  Let’s look at Psalm 1:1-3:
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
 
So the man who delights in the Law of the Lord - His Word, and retreats from a life of sinfulness will be as a tree planted by water - a place of sustenance and growth.  Let your roots go deep into the waters of the Lord by finding yourself in the Word - our source of light and nutrition [John 6:33]!
 
A Solid Foundation:  A tree might appear to be strong and healthy, but after a windstorm, it is surprising to see it twisted and broken on the ground.  The reason:  a lack of foundation.  To be solid, mighty trees, we must build our lives upon Jesus - our Solid Rock.  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:25.  Jesus Christ - our solid foundation in whom our roots can be strong, thick, and last through the storms of life!
 
Pruning and Care.  In order to bear good fruit and continue to grow, we will go through seasons where we must be pruned.  Past sins, attitudes, former self-conceptions, pride, and the list goes on.  All of these things can spoil the good fruit God intends for us to produce.  Although painful when in the midst of it, the pruning is essential and in the end will be beautiful.  John 15:2 states: “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  Though difficult at times, the love of Jesus is found throughout every season, and His care will surpass all others for comfort and preparation as every season turns.
 
Through these concepts, we can grow as healthy, mighty trees where we are fed well, solidly founded, and pruned with the care - of Jesus.  We can provide shade to the weary, food to the hungry, and beauty for all to see the handiwork of God in our lives!  Let us strive to be mighty oaks and towering redwoods in the forest of our Creator!