July has been a month of trees for me. The first week, my husband and I attended the wedding of a family member which took place under a beautiful, steadfast oak tree. Less than a week later, we left the palo verde trees near our home behind and drove through the Joshua Tree Forest. As we continued northwest, we saw various types of pine trees, oak trees, etc. From there, we visited the Redwood National Forest. We went south and saw cypress trees along the coast. We passed almond trees and pecan trees on our way home, and stopped near Palm Springs, where, you guessed it, we saw palm trees.
Trees have always fascinated me. Trees, like any plant, seek the sunlight. God created life that instinctively seeks light. Each type of tree finds the light in its own way. Some, like palo verde, have branches that curl around and go odd directions, but they find the light. Pine trees have branches that grow nearly symmetrically giving them that triangle shape children draw at Christmas. Big at the bottom and small at the top, they find the light. Palm trees rush straight for the light, growing ever upward to seek it out. Redwoods also grow straight, but if, by chance, they get knocked down, they still find a way to grow to the light. Branches will grow out of a fallen trunk. They relentlessly pursue the light regardless of any obstacle or occurrence. Redwoods do not give up.
God also created people to seek the light, His light. We all find it in our own way. Some people are steadfast in their quest for light. Some of us come to it through twists and turns like palo verde. Some of us rush toward it like palm. Some of us balance it like a pine. Some of us stay straight and strong regardless of what life throws our way like a redwood.
God created all kinds of trees with their own special features, but their quest for light is the same. One type of tree is not better than another type of tree. They are just different. God created them that way. He created us that way as well.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12