Parable of the Tree

 











Ever wonder why Jesus always used parables when He talked to people? Why didn't He just say, 'Ok, listen up. Take out your papyrus and stylus, number from 1 - 10 and write this down. These are the most important things that I want you to know. Now go out and apply them to your lives.' - - Not very engaging, huh?

 

No, Jesus was a master communicator, so He used stories full of everyday imagery that people could relate to. Remember the old saying, 'a picture paints a thousand words? Jesus knew that stories put visual flesh and bones on concepts. He knew that if He used pictures to illustrate His ideas, people could put them into the context of their own lives. They could remember stories better and pass them on to others. You see, Jesus wanted them to taste and see and touch His messages. Brilliant!  Just brilliant!

 

I am convinced that the Holy Spirit still uses parables to teach us today. Sometimes He even uses a theme to reveal multiple truths. As a matter of fact, He has been using trees over the past several months to speak to me.  I'd like to share an example with you:

 

We have several trees in our backyard that had ivy planted around them years ago. Consequently, that ivy has now grown and wrapped itself around some of the highest branches. A friend told me that it could actually kill the tree, so my husband cut the ivy off at the base of the tree and then stripped it off as high as he could. The next morning when I looked out at the tree, I was struck by how completely different it looked.

 

So, here comes the parable: The Lord showed me how our minds are like that tree when it was covered with the ivy. Our minds are covered with endless distractions and they are literally choking the life out of us. We are bombarded from every direction, 24/7. When the ivy was taken off the tree, it was as if the tree could breathe again. It could feel the warmth of the sun again. It looked like a tree again, like what it was created to be. Just like the tree, we have to rid ourselves of the ivy/distractions that keep us from being what we were meant to be. We have to refocus on Jesus, spend time with him, expose our hearts and minds to Him. Then we, too, can feel His warmth again. We can look like and be what we were created to be.

 

Did I mention before that He sometimes uses themes? Well, a few weeks ago as I was driving, I turned the corner and saw the most breathtakingly beautiful bush in full bloom. It immediately made me think of the burning bush that Moses saw in the desert. God spoke to him from that bush and told him to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground. As I have thought about that, I realized that God was using another parable. I realized that whenever God speaks to us, through a tree or anything else, we should realize that we, too, are on holy ground! Stop and pay attention! The God who still speaks in parables has something personal to say to us!

 

How about you? What parable has God used to speak to you? Share it with us . . .

 

 

Rachel Roberts