Like most people, I admire strength!

Whether it’s found in the grit of good ambition and accomplishment or the kind of strength you find in weakness – we all desire it to be a centre of our being, a significant part of our life’s personal narrative.

Psalm 92:12 says ‘But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.’

The Bible often uses trees and plants as an effective story line to illustrate our spiritual condition or strength.

In my childhood memory there is a picture of a large tree nicely positioned at the front of our old church on the hill (as it was affectionately known). I have fond memories of doing my best to sit quietly in the small church, stippled top and stained windows hoping for the sermon to finish so I could, with my friends conquer the tree at service end! We would adventure and dream, climb and bump knees and elbows on the way down.

The lasting memory is based around the size and strength of this tree, its roots ran deep, it’s branches stood strong…it flourished!

I’m moved to consider that our lives should metaphorically mirror that as an old oak tree. To be able to stand strong through the years, whether the storms that come our way and despite difficulty and time, soldier on through it all.

So as you face the week ahead, with all its trials and challenges, be strong, be built like a tree … be tree-mendous (sorry, couldn’t help it).

Jeremiah 17:8 says ‘they will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’

Nathan