Grow Like a Tree

Okay, before you panic after reading the title, you have got to hear me out on this one. Although I do love the outdoors and exploring with my kids, please don’t stress – this is not some fluffy advice on “Being one with the trees.” Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to abandon or forget your God given human dignity and worth!

This all started when I was on my usual morning run weeks back. All seemed right and well that particular day (at least for those 36 minutes I was running), yet I felt restless. As I was turning a bend on a quiet crisp morning, suddenly something so simple, so obvious, so basic struck me. Look at all these trees with branches all entangled, bursting out and upwards! As I stared at the leaves, just starting to shimmer with the golden, crimson and ruby hues of autumn I realized something I’ve always known, but never thought through. Every tree I could see as far as my eye could carry, every Oak, Maple and Birch all grew upwards. These heavy leaf-burdened branches all fought to stretch out and up in search of its life giving warmth, the sun. Trees require sunlight for photosynthesis, a process for which a plant converts light, oxygen and water into energy. This much-needed process is required for a tree to grow, bloom and produce seed or fruit.

“OK, OK Suzanne, I’m bored! This is obvious elementary science 101” you say. But have you sat back and reflected on the simple yet brilliant submission of the trees to move as they were designed to, in order that they may grow and fully thrive. No one had to instruct them, sit them down, lecture to them, nor tell them that the light was there even when dark clouds kept it hidden. They all grew out and up, instinctively seeking out what they needed-the sun light. They didn’t need constant reminders that if their branches refused to listen to their God given design and grow down or hidden from the light they would eventually suffer from nutrient deficiency and would ultimately die.

From the time of germination, when the seedling bursts through the soil seeking out the light, to its mature state when the expansive branches continue to stretch up and out towards the heavens, this simple yet beautiful living creation knows to search for the sun. Without going into the nitty gritty science of what causes them to push and bend towards the light, we can still appreciate the beauty of their nature to simply seek what they need. Some trees need more sunlight than others in order to thrive . However, without enough sunlight a tree will eventually die. We, God’s most beautiful intricate and unique creation were also created with this God-given need for the light. Our wonderfully knit together souls are constantly fighting to tell our hearts and minds to look up to the heavens. In the deep cracks and often hidden crevices of our souls we KNOW that we too were created to move upwards towards the life-giving light, Christ himself. For Christ said “ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” John 8:12.

The restless angst we often all feel, as I was this particular day, is the subconscious awareness that we aren’t fully seeking out and growing towards this brightness. It is in this gaping hole of darkness which we fill with Instagram feeds, Facebook threads, fears, comparisons, and the distraction of busyness. We often feel temporary contentment with the complacency of soccer practices, meals to be cooked, meetings to attend and new shows on Netflix to binge. Yet, when our hearts are consumed with only things of this world we are ASLEEP – dormant versions of who God created us to be. This is why it is said, “Wake up sleeper rise from the dead and Christ will SHINE on you.” Ephesians 5:14. Christ wants to shine His abundant light and warmth upon us. But in order to thrive and in order to grow in His righteousness we, just as the trees so simply do, must open ourselves up, stretch and grow toward this life sustaining light, Christ. We must seek Him always and in everything.

This life we walk here on earth is often filled with dark cloudy days. The overcast of bills unpaid, children acting up, marital battles, or friendships strained, can often feel discouraging. Others have sat in years of stormy rain filled skies with loved ones lost, infertility heartaches, health issues or single parenthood, yet one thing remains. Behind the grey skies, or the hazy air, the sun and its impenetrable light is still there burning brightly. Our Lord similarly never abandons us.

We may not always see or feel God but, just as my younger self felt the aftermath of cloudy day sunburns, similarly God’s rays of love and mercy NEVER stop shining. God is an ever burning constant who desires to grow in intimacy with us so that the warmth of His graces can be poured out upon us. If only we would participate in this dance and move towards Him.

Did you know that plants, who are suffering from the stress of light deficiency become so keenly aware of their condition that they enter an emergency state of survival called etiolation? This is when they stop all other production and use all of their remaining energy and resources to grow up as high as possible to try to reach sunlight again! During dark or even lukewarm times, for which we have, consciously or subconsciously, tried to bury ourselves in the dark soil of this world, we too must become aware of our need for and lack of God in our lives. It can be difficult during these stormy or cloudy times to even recognize our need for this light. Yet, when we turn away from the light because it feels hidden behind a cloud of loneliness, dark storm of pain, or haze of complacency, our souls begin to starve from a God deficiency. We like the trees must pour our energy into reaching for the ever shining light and warmth of His goodness again.

We humans, like animals and many living things, do much of our growing when we’re young and then stop growing once we mature. But trees, it turns out, are an exception to this general rule. Scientists have discovered that trees actually grow faster the older they get. Though they do eventually reach a maximum height, if healthy, they continue to rapidly get bulkier. Now, I don’t mean like someone who fills out in the waistline, but rather they grow bigger and stronger like the human equivalent of a bodybuilder. They NEVER stop growing.

We are similarly on this never-ending journey to grow in spiritual strength and fortitude. We, like the trees, should never cease growing, but rather we should continue to bulk up on prayer, faith and a closeness with Him. Through prayer and an active seeking of Christ, we would grow in such spiritual strength that all those around us couldn’t help but recognize the fruit by which this relationship with our Lord would bear in our lives. Therefore, like the trees who reach for the light, and never stop growing; our hearts, minds and souls will blossom and produce the most tasteful fruit when we ceaselessly spend our moments, our days and our years REACHING FOR HIM!

~Suzanne Bilodeau