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10-20-11
E-update: Trees
Dear Friends and Members of St. Andrew's:

by Pastor Sarah Breckenridge

 

They will be like trees planted by steams of water, which yield their fruit in its season... Psalm 1:3

 

The colony of trees in this picture is called Pando (or the Trembling Giant). The name Pando was chosen because in Latin it means "I spread" and many believe that it all originated from one male Aspen tree in Southern Utah. It is still debated as being one of the most massive organisms in the world, and for sure the heaviest.  The colony encompasses 107 acres, weighs 6,600 tons and has around 47,000 stems, which continually die and are renewed by its roots. It is truly one amazing root system.  

 

Why am I telling you this?  Because I think it is a wonderful image for us as the church.  Although above ground we all look like individual trees, separated and doing our own thing, we are all indelibly connected to one another by our "roots" to God.   As individuals we sometimes feel all alone out there.  We may feel vulnerable - like we are losing our leaves, or having a hard time letting go - wondering if Spring and the promises of new life are really for us as well? 

 

We too go through different seasons of life; sometimes feeling barren, and sometimes seeing the beautiful fruits of our labors.  Yet, in the waters of baptism and power of God's transforming word and promises we hear - "You are not alone!", "I LOVE YOU!"  We find our roots and become grounded in God's love for us.  That is why we keep coming to church;  because we all need to be reminded again and again that although we may feel like we're blowing around with nothing to ground us, we actually are rooted in God's love. 

 

The one tree that gives us life and started all of this is the cross. Maybe it rings a bell from the "Lift High the Cross" hymn we have been singing - "O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee."  Many refer to the cross as the "tree of life".  That is because the cross is the best symbol of the forgiveness and new life given to all because of Jesus' powerful love for us.  And the beauty of Christ's love is that it spreads.  Look out Pando, you've got nothing on us!  Christ's love for you and all people can not be contained and thanks to the Holy Spirit it spreads in us and through us, reminding us of our connection with God and all humanity.  We look forward to seeing you on Sunday where we will discover more about living a life rooted in Christ's love. 

 

"I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love." Ephesians 3:16-17

 

In Christ,

Pastor Sarah Breckenridge
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

  
Filed under: e-update

Comments

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 3:11:08 PM by J. Vincent Keller
Trees are such a powerful symbol, especially growing up in a logging community. The other tree image is Revelation 22, the tree of life "the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."
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