Like A Tree

 

Samantha Levang, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This is a picture of a tree in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. The photographer included:

The tendrils hanging down are part of the tree's root system. If the maintenance crew didn't trim them, they would grow down to the ground and plant themselves, eventually growing like a new trunk from the original tree.

 From a Hawaiian tourism site:

Cool down in the shade under one of the largest banyan trees in the United States. Imported from India and planted in front of the Lāhainā Courthouse and Lāhainā Harbor on 1873, this sprawling tree along Front Street is the size of an entire city block and stands more than 60-feet high. If you need to cool down a bit, you can walk for two-thirds of an acre under the shadow of its sweeping branches. Many events and art exhibits are held beneath this popular gathering place. At Art in the Park, which takes place every second and fourth weekend of the month, browse for affordable paintings, limited edition prints and a wealth of crafts under the dangling vines and twelve major trunks of this Lāhainā landmark.

I've been blessed to be there and see how the tree does cover such a large area. Out my back door is a Live Oak tree that has been shown to be older than this banyan tree. It qualifies to be included in the  Live Oak Society, and its spread is 65 feet, with a girth of 9+ feet before the split, though not nearly 60 feet tall. Unlike this Banyan tree, ours doesn't put out limbs, then roots to start a new trunk on the ground, but it sheds acorns to start new live oak trees.

The Bible uses trees as examples in maniy verses, but one of my favorites is:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalms 1:1-6 KJV)

According to people who keep track, there is a question about the oldest tree in the world:

In eastern California, a Great Basin bristlecone pine known as Methuselah has long been considered Earth’s oldest living thing. According to tree-ring data, it is 4,853 years old — meaning that Methuselah was well established by time ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza. But wait — a challenger has emerged to vie for Methuselah’s record, reports National Geographic’s Craig Welch. In Chile, a Patagonian cypress known as the Alerce Milenario or Gran Abuelo (great-grandfather) could be 500 years older than the current reigning champion.

These two trees existed at the time the psalmist wrote about a righteous man being planted. There is a sense of continuity even in the story of Johnny Appleseed, a man who planted apple trees a couple of centuries ago. So what brought all this to my mind? Pastor's sermon Sunday from Philippians:

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27 KJV)

The slide for Pastor's sermon was a photo he took of the Lahaina Banyan tree. It reminded me of the one request of spoken of before - that our Lord allow time for a picnic under the Tree of Life beside the River of Life where a number of people could visit - all of those in the line that brought the gospel news down to me through the ages, and the people I've spoken/written to sharing the Good News that:

Salvation is God's plan and was given for all mankind to understand;

Sanctification is explained in God's word through the life, death and resurrection of His Son;

Service in God's plan is available to each and every one of us who has faith in His grace.

There have been multiple millions of trees on earth. What beautiful examples of bringing forth fruit in their seasons. Nature itself speaks of God. Read this in context, but  "them" are the unrighteous who should see God around themselves:

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19-20 KJV)

It is preceeded by those who do have faith:

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)