Recently I have been intrigued by trees. They bring such a fascination to me that keeps my curiosity growing every day. Tree’s just make sense. Tree rings are what you find on the inside of a trunk when you cut it open. When you look from above you see rings upon rings gaining in a constant cycle. A tree ring is a representation of the trees growth in a year. Each ring represents a year of growth and is an added layer of strength. It takes years upon years to grow in size and yet layer by layer it grows in strength and stability. Each layer is an experience that helps it grow into exactly what it is meant to be exactly at the time it is meant to be. Big or small each layer has a story and has a lesson from each season that passed. But a tree that is rotting cannot stand. It loses its strength the longer it rots. You cannot take away layers, you can only accept and learn from them no matter the cost. We must press on and keep learning. Not rotting. Rotting does not take away rather hinders the growth and stability of the tree. You are a tree. In your life you have had hard times and you have had good ones. We must remember that as painful as it might be to remember those hard times, we cannot try and rot them away. Each ring that happened in your life happened for a reason whether or not we fully understand it.
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In Daniel chapter four King Nebuchadnezzar has a vision one night while laying in bed. He has a vision of a tree that has grown high above the heavens and no matter where you look it can be seen throughout the world. This tree is strong and its leaves were absolutely stunning. It carried fruit of abundance which was food for all. Beasts found shelter beneath it and birds called the branches home. But this tree was seen as a threat and was to be chopped down. Its branches, broken and scattered, its fruit, thrown, leaves trampled. Leaving nothing but the stump in the ground where the beasts could not find shelter and in turn would run in the opposite direction.
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Although this vision does not seem like one that is very uplifting but, my friends, you are all trees. You have been growing in layers and in strength and in height. You have leaves that show your true beauty. You have knowledge that you can give away to those around you just like the fruit that is given as food. You provide care and love just like the shelter for the beasts and the branches for the birds. But dear friends, of all these things the one thing that truly keeps the tree upward and strong is not the trunk, it is not the leaves or branches. It is the roots. So although people my threaten to cut you down and leave nothing but a stump they are not actually cutting you down. They are reminding you of where you truly came from, where your roots have been planted. They are taking away the distraction of beauty and of your needs and opening up your eyes to see what is truly there. It is all about how you choose to see it. Will you look at it as someone taking everything from you or as someone who reminded you where everything came from.
Ask yourself:
– Where are your roots planted?
– What rings in your life are you trying to rot away? Why?
– How will you look at the one who has chopped you down?
– Who are you according to the roots that hold you up?
*** Thank you to all who have supported me! I would not be here without you guys and I could not thank you enough! I am FULLY FUNDED because of you guys!!! God Bless!***
