Stumbling Upon a Metaphor
Today was a perfect day for a walk; partly cloudy, mid-seventies, and a pleasant humidity level. So, Terence, Lucas and I headed to one of the parks in town, which has some lovely walking paths through the woods. We’d gotten about a quarter of a mile in when we turned a corner and saw this:
If all you looked at was the trunk of this tree, you would assume it was dead. It must have been hit by lightning at some point, because the trunk is completely shredded, down to the roots–there’s only a shell of the tree left.
Yet, growing from that same root system is another, smaller tree (look at the bit jutting off to the left). And if you look up into the branches, you see plenty of healthy green leaves growing out of what appears to be a completely shattered tree. It’s incredibly beautiful.
I couldn’t help but think that, if lightning hadn’t hit this tree at some point in its past, I might never have really noticed it. Sure, there might be more leaves at the top, and it might be a bit taller, not bent over like it is today. But it is precisely the tragic event in the life of this tree that has made it so striking.
By now the metaphor must be obvious. I believe there is precious beauty in each person, and true uniqueness. And I also believe that life can be really tough at times, and that being struck by ‘lightning’ now and again is pretty much par for the course. What a restorative image this tree is to me, that beauty can come from tragedy, and that life continues; not the same kind of life, certainly, but somehow deeper and more striking. By the grace of God, beauty can come from ashes.
Praise the Lord.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:27 am
I came across your blog when I was at the Vantage Point 3 website (I’m one of the facilitators for the Emerging Phase). I just wanted to let you know that this particular blog was very inspiring to me. I started seeking God aboout a year ago and have a great passion to know him on a more intimate, personal level. I was never a Christian and most of my families and friends aren’t. A couple of weeks ago, we found out my sister (38 years old with two young kids) has cancer. Since then, our world has not been the same. Because of my strong faith, I was able to share with her how God can take such a terrible thing as cancer and bring beauty out of it. She’s not a Christian but I gave her a bible earlier today and I can already see that she is beginning to seek God. I think your article is awesome and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Dear Seng Leang,
Thank you for letting me know about your sister and her family. I will be in prayer for her, and for all of you as you walk with her through this difficult journey. I am so thankful that God has brought you to a place where, in the midst of these very trying circumstances, you can be a blessing in her life. Through you, may she sense the real and present Christ.
We pray for healing of body and soul, and for peace. I pray your sister and her little ones will sense God’s comfort and lean on His strength, and that you will be comforted as well. May these times cause you all to draw even closer to Jesus.
God bless you, and I also remember your emerging group in prayer.
In Him,
Krista