“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
~Revelation 22:1-2, NRSVUE

There are some aspects of Jesus’ life that remain a mystery and there are some things that we know for certain.  One thing we know for certain is that Jesus taught his followers using parables.  Some of Jesus’ most famous parables used everyday items and situations to share wisdom about God.  Jesus spoke about seeds falling on different types of soil and mustard seeds and fig trees and lost sheep and lilies in bloom.  Jesus told his followers in the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)  

If we pay attention, Jesus taught some of his most profound lessons by turning to the natural world.  It’s no wonder, as humans are meant to be deeply tied to God’s beautiful creation.  Trees in particular are heavily featured in scripture.  As Daniel Cooperrider explains, “The Bible begins with the Tree of Knowledge and ends with the Tree of Life, and with more references to trees than to any other aspect of creation besides humans, trees loom like an old growth forest over the tangled undergrowth of scripture.”* 

There is something spiritually meaningful about trees.
Rooted within the Earth, grounded and tapping into the sources they need for life.
At home in the world, with strong trunks and branches and leaves that support growth and may even provide shelter and food for many beings.
Reaching toward the heavens, sometimes with leaves and fruit that come and go depending on the season. 

Trees show us that change is inevitable. 
And that storms can be weathered when we are grounded in God.
Trees are only as strong as the forest that surrounds them, reminding us that we do not go through life alone.  We need each other to grow and flourish!

Do you have a favorite tree? 
Have you ever had a meaningful experience with and among trees? 
We are about to see many leaves falling from trees as autumn approaches, how does that make you feel?

Love,
Pastor Lauren

*Daniel Cooperrider, Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible, pg. 98.

Photo by Rev. Lauren Ostrout ~ The Avebury Beech Trees in Avebury, England

Thursday Thoughts 9/19/24