There were two trees planted in the same orchard, one an oak and one a weeping willow. Each day the gardener watered both trees, fertilizing them equally, and pruned their branches. Their beauty far surpassed that of any neighbor's trees.
One day a strong storm with high winds blew through the garden. The oak stood tall and strong, its branches gently bending in the winds. The weeping willow, although it tried, failed to withstand the strong winds and it, along with its entire root system was plucked up as it fell to the earth.
What is the meaning of this parable?
The oak tree plunged its roots deeply into the ground, seeking nourishment. As it reached for more nourishment, it grew until its roots were stretched so far outward and downward that the tree above the ground was much smaller than the growth under the ground. This is a picture of a child of God who finds nourishment in the Word of God. Regardless of the season in life, regardless what comes its way, this one continues to reach for more, pressing past the dirt and the stones and anything that might prevent it from finding more nourishment. When the storms of life come, this one bends with the wind but never falls … his root system is mature and strong enough to withstand even the greatest storms.
The willow tree spread its roots quickly, but spread them outward rather than downward. It received its nourishment from the superficial watering, spreading its roots near the surface of the ground where it wouldn't lose sight of its own beauty. Relishing in its own grace, its boughs bent in appearance of humility, but was unable to lift is boughs toward the sun. The visible part of the tree above the ground was much greater than its root system. When the winds and storms of life hit, its root system was unable to sustain it and it plummeted to the ground. This tree's beauty was in its appearance of "weeping" or false humility. It drew attention from onlookers because of its ability to gently sway in the breezes and provide shade. It was attractive by all rights, but it was a superficial attractiveness … there was nothing to sustain the tree. This is a picture of one who finds satisfaction in the superficial pleasures of life—worldliness. It's also a picture of one who finds satisfaction in feelings and emotions. The things of this world—the superficial things will never sustain us during a storm. Our "tree" will inevitably fall as the roots cannot offer us the stability we need to protect us during the winds and storms of life.
The weeping willow was always the last tree to lose its leaves in the winter season … it was too vain to respond to the change in seasons. The oak, however, quickly responded to the change in seasons and used it to its advantage. While the willow still tried to maintain its outward appearance, the oak was outwardly dormant but underground it was growing deeper and stronger even in the winter season.
Be careful not to allow the things of this world to nourish your growth. Guard yourself against allowing your feelings and emotions to give you a false sense of humility and stability. Rather, allow your root system to grow deep as it seeks out the nourishment found from the rivers of water flowing underground.
Psalm 1:3 … "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Note: We are doing a study on Psalm 1 on our discussion board … please feel free to join us. http://p219.ezboard.com/fwomenofpassionsfrm1 Hope to see you there! J
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© 2008 Jan Ross
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