Trees of Righteousness

'Tis the season. Closeups of tree by day; tree by night.

Not all Christians believe in putting up a Christmas tree. But looking at and thinking about the tree reminds me that believers are likened to trees in Scripture. One such place is Psalm 1:3--"He [the one who delights in the Lord] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers" (NIV). Isaiah 61:3 is another: "...that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified" (KJV). 

When people are compared to non-human things in Scripture, such as trees, sheep, a temple, and more, it's interesting to ask what characteristics are being compared. We're often taught that a tree's root system grows as deep as its canopy is tall, and that if it weren't as massive underground as it is above ground, it would too easily blow over in the wind. The truth may actually be more spectacular than that. In many cases, the root system stays shallower but spreads two to five times wider than the canopy in its search for nutrients, creating a massive foundation for the tree. The point is that the beauty, shade, wildlife homes, crop, or lumber produced by the part we see is made possible only by the strength and reach of the part we don't see. 

It's the same with believers. The more visible works God wants to do with and through us--the more fruit He wants to bear--the deeper we need to be in Scripture, prayer, and time spent with Him. The more nutrients we need to draw, the more faith we need to develop, the more we need to understand that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). It's the other way around, too. The more intimate we become with God, the more humble, the more dependent, the more often closeted away with Him just to meet with Him, the more He can entrust great works to us and the more faith we will have to pursue them (Colossians 2:7).

This season, and all year 'round, I want to sink my roots deep and wide into God and the things of God, so that I might be the best tree He can make of me. Yielding fruit in its season. Not withering. Being a planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.