It is Spring/Summer in Texas which means hard rain, heavy winds, large hail and damaging storms. The flat Texas landscape does little to protect us from these storms and often leaves a massive path of destruction in the storms wake.
We recently had one of these storms blow through and the damage that it left was eye opening. Wind gusts of 70+ MPH wreaked havoc all across the metroplex and left many people without power for 3 to 4 days. It was quite the storm.
As I drove to work the next morning I soon discovered that my normal 25 minute commute to work was going to take twice as long. Many of the city traffic lights were down and tree limbs were scattered all over the roadways. I was going nowhere.
As I slowly made my way, I couldn't help but survey the amount of trees that were damaged. These were not young trees. These were big mature trees. Trees that have developed huge root systems and had grown branches upon branches upon branches. So much so that when the wind came, they killed themselves trying to hold onto it all.
Sound familiar? I think it sounds a lot like me. And if you're honest with yourself right now, you might even think it sounds like you too. One thing I want you to remember is these were mature, deep rooted and well established trees. They were doing great. Life was good, prosperous and green. Yet in their desire to add to themselves, grow bigger, and become better, they become too much tree to be the "ME" that they were created for.
I have been that over crowded tree. Having limbs so out of balance that they were almost another tree in themselves. I was doing good things. Serving at my church, trying to be a good husband, friend and leader to those around me. But filling my schedule with so many things blinded me to who I even was anymore.
John 15: 1-2 says this:
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful."
2019, for me, is all about #BecomingHealthy. And if you follow me on any social media at all, you are probably starting to get sick of that hashtag. Sorry not sorry?! I am learning that being different is greater than getting better, that addition by subtraction is a beautiful thing and that simplifying your life brings peace.
What does your tree look like? Does it describe the "me" that you want to be?
Does your tree need some pruning? Or if thats too scary of a word, does your tree need some simplifying?
Until next time...
- Law