Guest Author - Kathryn Free

I was sitting on my balcony the other day, just relaxing and thinking about my day. As I sat there, I noticed a tree branch caught under part of the roof. It seemed to struggle as if trying to get free. I wanted to get up and help the branch become free of the roof but I could not reach it. Then I began to hear a whisper in my ear. God was asking me to tell Him what I saw.

I looked at this branch again and began to wonder what I was suppose to see. The main branch was strong and connected high in the tree. There were many smaller branches shooting out from this main branch that waved easily in the wind. Leaves were on most of the branches and seem to have no problem staying attached to the branch. All the smaller branches seemed to be tangled up but as I looked closer they were just woven easily together, making room for all branches.

Then I began to realize that some branches were stronger than the others. Those strong branches seem to protect the newest sprouts with no complaint. I also noticed that the stronger, larger branches had many leaves attached. The newer or weaker branches had few leaves attached.

It was then I realized what God wanted me to see. The branch that was stuck under the roof was still growing. This friction would either break the branch or cause it to grow stronger by finally breaking free when it had struggled awhile. The stronger branches ordained with leaves were strong as they pointed to the sky but part of their strength came from protecting the smaller, weaker branches. The stronger branches gave birds a place to rest, while the weaker branches were home to smaller insects. Each part of this tree worked separately yet together at the same time.

The branches were just an extension of the tree and the trees root system. They swayed and were the glory of the tree. You never hear someone say, ‘What a beautiful root system.’ Yet the branches and leaves were the result of the root system.

We are to be like a tree firmly planted by the river of life. When we are firmly planted we will bear fruit in the proper season. When we feed daily on God’s Word grow strong in His strength and sprout leaves as we share the gospel to others.

I began to wonder what type of branch I was in God’s family. Was I the big strong branch with many leaves protecting and nurturing seeking and new believers? Was I the branch caught under the roof being trained in humility before being put into service? Was I a smaller branch that could not hold much weight but had many leaves? Was I a new branch sprout just learning and growing?

Whatever my position in the tree did not matter for every part worked together to build and display a ‘beautiful’ picture. What we hear people saying is, ‘What a beautiful tree.’ A tree is the root, a trunk, strong branches, weaker branches (all degrees!), new branches just beginning, leaves and fruit. And all parts are reaching to the sun while being fed from living water.

Consider today the family of God and how this family is woven together and how each member is important. Consider where you fit in this family today and where you are moving toward becoming. No part is more important than the other but some parts require more strength and endurance.

‘And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street and on either side of the river was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.’
Revelation 22:1-2