While walking in the woods yesterday, I happened upon a cedar tree weighed down by ice. Every tree in the woods that had needles or leaves was bent over or leaning from the extra weight. All the hardwoods which lose their leaves were standing erect unaffected despite having a layer of ice. Before the ice had come the hardwoods seemed lifeless and bare while the pines and cedars colorful and full of life. I began reflecting on the various seasons in life- life and death, killing and healing, weeping and laughter..
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
The question came to mind-
How do I respond to changing seasons, especially winter?
The trees reminded me of past responses. The ones stripped bare appearing to have nothing yet reaching high towards heaven standing tall despite the storm. Others bent over in forced humility by the weight of the ice frozen to it’s needles. The question came to mind, ” How often do we cling to things promising false security because we’d rather “feel protected and secure now” rather than exposed and bare?”
Hardwoods take longer to grow tall because their root system is growing unseen below the surface. Pines and cedars grow more quickly but with shallow roots. Often during winter storms cedars and pines are the first to break and uproot. Which would I be? Will I allow the winter season to deepen my roots or cling to the things which will inevitably break me?
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
The last thing that struck me while walking through the woods seemed obvious but perhaps ignored. A single tree does not make a forest it takes multiple trees of differing kinds in various growing stages. Isn’t this how God made the church? All kinds, varieties of people in differing stages each serving a purpose? May our seasons and responses be an encouragement and challenge to those around us and may we be willing to look to those who are standing tall when we are bowed down.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10: 24-25
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, wo for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Hebrews 12: 1-2
