My Tree and Me

    

     I started my annual circling of the tree with lights in tow and carefully positioned the first 300 lights. It wasn't long before I had noticed that there was something not just right, so before going any further I put myself in reverse and removed them. Going over the lighting plan in my mind and thinking I had it all under control, I went right back to work and after stringing on 900 lights I realized that I had failed to leave an open end at the bottom to plug into the electricity. It was late, I was tired, my arms ached, I was frustrated with myself and quite honestly ready to completely give up and toss tree, stand and lights out the door into the freezing dark Wyoming night. But, at nearly 10:00 pm I mustered up my courage and strength and removed the 900 lights and tried a third time. This time, I would string them like I had always done years past…from the bottom up – instead of listening to others who have told me, “They are supposed to be strung from the top to the bottom.” Shortly after crossing into the next morning my perseverance paid off and to my delight I had a beautifully lighted tree.

     Tonight I sit quietly in my own thoughts, listening to the crackles and pops of the fire in the fireplace enjoying the soft glow of my beautiful tree that gave me such fits. I recall my friend JoEllen’s words to offer grace to my tree. The Lord has brought to my mind some similarities in me and my tree.

     I am so thankful that God does not give up on me and toss me out into the cold and dark:

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)

     My light will never shine in this dark world if I don’t stay plugged in to the power source:

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV)

     I am so grateful that when I fail in my service to God that He is a God of second chances:

“And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” (Jonah 3:1-2)

     My successes will not be measured by following the ways of the world, but rather by my obedience to the ways of God:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)

While decorating the tree I generally spend a lot of time rearranging and placing ornaments where I feel they will be best displayed and shine the brightest:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

     As the days go by I notice that some of the boughs become weighed down by the weight of the ornaments and are in need to lighten the load and I am reminded that we are not to bear the weight of this world on our own:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

     My thirty-sixth tree is complete…fully arrayed in brightly colored lights and an assortment of precious ornaments of value only to me. We will enjoy its beauty for a season but one day it will have served its purpose and be discarded…but not me, praise God! When my work is done on this side of eternity I will become more alive than I’ve ever been. And I will be perfectly adorned by the Creator.

“’Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’”  (Revelation 19:7-9 NIV)

I encourage you to spend quiet time with the Lord and let Him speak to you.