Wednesday, October 3, 2018

“The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9, New Living Translation)

                “Along the lines of smoky hills/ The crimson forest stands…” Back in the day, many an elementary student of my generation (i.e. old) probably had to memorize this wonderful poem by Canadian poet, William Wilfred Campbell, from his book of poetry, Lake Lyrics (1889). 

It is quintessentially captures the beauty of our Canadian autumns, bursting with colour and resplendent beauty – very appropriate as we head into our Thanksgiving Weekend.  I was reminded of it when my mother-in-law included it in my birthday card this week.

“Now by the brook the maple leans/ With all its glory spread;/ And all the sumacs on the hills/ Have turned their green to red.”

Trees are not something we should take for granted. As noted in our text, trees were Creation’s sources for humankind’s nourishment, life and health.  There is nothing better than a good tree under which to sit to symbolize God’s grace and love. “But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.”  (Micah 4:4)

By the end of the bible just as there was in the beginning, the tree of life is offered to the faithful once again, fruit free from the rot of our sinfulness, ever since humankind’s fall from grace by disobeying God and eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.” (Revelation 22: 1 – 2)

There is a tree just down the street from our house that is a brilliant red today. Even on a dreary day it catches one’s eyes. Its colours are vibrant, bold and audacious, standing out in a sometimes drab and weary environment.

One of the Psalms asserts that the faithful are “like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:3, NLT) Maybe, what this is saying is that you and I need to be continually vibrant in our faith, constantly bold in our witness of good works, and stand out with the colours of love, hope, peace, joy, goodness and justice in a dingy and exhausted world.

Let your colours show! Let the beauty of your character and faith catch people’s eyes! Let the magnificent, colourful burst of mercy, forgiveness of others, and unconditional compassion for all be a remarkable display of transformation and a promise of the life to come.

“Let the trees of the forest sing for joy.” (Psalm 96:12, NLT) 

Dale