The beginning of Autumn has to be one of the most awesome displays of God's beauty and creativity. The leaves on the trees change to the colors of oranges, yellows, browns, etc. and the scenery is nothing short of a photographic moment! As I walked along the sidewalk this morning, I looked up at a tree (who's leaves were orange) and a single leaf fell, floating to the ground. All I could do was smile because in that moment I was reminded of the power and presence of God.
In the same moment, I had to look at the tree itself and this is what I saw. A tree is the perfect symbol of our walk with Christ should be. Now, I know you are thinking, "Antoine, how in the world did you come up with that idea?" Well, first off it definitely wasn't mines. The Holy Spirit had some involvement, but I am going to tell you. First, let's go back to school where we first learned about plants and their life cycles.
As we all know, a tree starts out as a seed. That seed is planted into the ground and over time, with some nurturing, sunlight, and watering the tree will grow to be a larger and larger plant. As the tree gets bigger over the years, its roots go deeper into the ground in order to support the tree's weight and most importantly to get nutrients from the ground. Then the tree grows branches. The branches grow and spread out far so that the leaves can soak up the most amount of sun as possible in order that photosynthesis can occur. ("Photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight"1. Without photosynthesis, the tree cannot live because this is how it creates its food.) When the tree is able, it then creates it's own seeds which fall from the tree to ground to take root and start the process all over again for another seedling. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
If we look and compare us to the description above you may see the similarities in our Spiritual Walk with Jesus. When we first proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, we become babes in Christ. This is because a 'seed' is planted within us. As with any baby, you need nurturing and support so that you can continue to grow spiritually (see 1 Peter 2:2). As long as you are in good ground, you will continue to grow until you can start to do things for yourself (ie, read & interpret the bible). We continue to walk with Christ and our 'roots' go deeper into the ground to support out growth and to get more spiritual nutrients (remember, seeds have to be on good & fertile ground for them to grow - see Mark 4:1-8). As with the tree, if our roots are in loose & unstable soil, any light wind could come along and blow it over. If our roots are not firmly rooted in Him who saves us, any hearsay or false teaching would make us stumble and fall (or blow us down). We continue grow and stretch our arms, heart, and mind upward and open to receive more of the Son so that we may have more of Him. At some point, we should reach a stage where we start to produce our own seeds so they can drop from us and be planted in someone else to start their spiritual lives as well (see Matthew 28:18-20). Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
I thought this was pretty cool how it was revealed to me and I think it is how we should live our Christian Walk. We should never remain babes in Christ. We should be growing more every day with a continued desire for Christ. While you may not be a Pastor or a Deacon, all of us are called be active participants in the building of the Kingdom of God (see Ephesians 4:11-13). Today, I want to encourage you to be like a tree. Continue to grow your faith, with outstretched arms towards the Son, so that you too can leave seeds that will one day help spread the good news.
Be blessed everyone.
Regards,
Antoine E. Hall
Blog: http://toinebo.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AntoineHall
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." - 2 Samuel 22:33
In the same moment, I had to look at the tree itself and this is what I saw. A tree is the perfect symbol of our walk with Christ should be. Now, I know you are thinking, "Antoine, how in the world did you come up with that idea?" Well, first off it definitely wasn't mines. The Holy Spirit had some involvement, but I am going to tell you. First, let's go back to school where we first learned about plants and their life cycles.
As we all know, a tree starts out as a seed. That seed is planted into the ground and over time, with some nurturing, sunlight, and watering the tree will grow to be a larger and larger plant. As the tree gets bigger over the years, its roots go deeper into the ground in order to support the tree's weight and most importantly to get nutrients from the ground. Then the tree grows branches. The branches grow and spread out far so that the leaves can soak up the most amount of sun as possible in order that photosynthesis can occur. ("Photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight"1. Without photosynthesis, the tree cannot live because this is how it creates its food.) When the tree is able, it then creates it's own seeds which fall from the tree to ground to take root and start the process all over again for another seedling. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
If we look and compare us to the description above you may see the similarities in our Spiritual Walk with Jesus. When we first proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, we become babes in Christ. This is because a 'seed' is planted within us. As with any baby, you need nurturing and support so that you can continue to grow spiritually (see 1 Peter 2:2). As long as you are in good ground, you will continue to grow until you can start to do things for yourself (ie, read & interpret the bible). We continue to walk with Christ and our 'roots' go deeper into the ground to support out growth and to get more spiritual nutrients (remember, seeds have to be on good & fertile ground for them to grow - see Mark 4:1-8). As with the tree, if our roots are in loose & unstable soil, any light wind could come along and blow it over. If our roots are not firmly rooted in Him who saves us, any hearsay or false teaching would make us stumble and fall (or blow us down). We continue grow and stretch our arms, heart, and mind upward and open to receive more of the Son so that we may have more of Him. At some point, we should reach a stage where we start to produce our own seeds so they can drop from us and be planted in someone else to start their spiritual lives as well (see Matthew 28:18-20). Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
I thought this was pretty cool how it was revealed to me and I think it is how we should live our Christian Walk. We should never remain babes in Christ. We should be growing more every day with a continued desire for Christ. While you may not be a Pastor or a Deacon, all of us are called be active participants in the building of the Kingdom of God (see Ephesians 4:11-13). Today, I want to encourage you to be like a tree. Continue to grow your faith, with outstretched arms towards the Son, so that you too can leave seeds that will one day help spread the good news.
Be blessed everyone.
Regards,
Antoine E. Hall
Blog: http://toinebo.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AntoineHall
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." - 2 Samuel 22:33
