Ah, winter is still with us in Tennessee this week. Snow and below freezing temperatures abound. Looking through snow covered trees some analogy of thought is today's Insight Post.
I used AI, which pops up first now if you google anything.
Did you know, snow, depending if it's light an airy, normal, or very wet and heavy, can weigh between 1 to 20 pounds per square foot. Depending on the size of the tree, the branch, and type of snow, your trees carry these loads.
God says in Psalm 1:3 TPT He (meaning one who follows God's ways, see verse 1) will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God's design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.
There are plenty of other verses comparing us to trees in Proverbs, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Another another personal favorite:
Isaiah 61: 1-3 TPT The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me because Yahweh has anointed me as a messenger to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted, to tell captives, "You are free," and to tell prisoners, "Be free from your darkness." I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh's grace and a time of God's recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow, to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness, planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.
Seasons change. Currently, it's still winter and most of us are longing for spring. But did you know what happens in winter?
Trees have no leaves or fruit to nourish. They can slow down, conserving their energy for what is coming.
So if you find your personal life in a winter season, maybe feeling alone, not very useful, or in a waiting period, take heart. You can slow down, conserve your energy and be still in the midst. Listen for His voice. Instead of a hug and run off to play or work, how about sitting by the fire and soaking in His presence?
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
Trees, because they are not feeding leaves and fruit, can have their own roots nourished, expand, and grow stronger. It helps them stand taller, stronger, and withstand the weight of the snow that does come.
When was the last time you thought about nourishing your Spirit as we often do with our body or even our soul. When you nourish your soul, in the times of being still, you give the roots time to grow, to abide, to entwine with the One who KNOWS you better than you know yourself.
Colossians 2:7 TPT Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed adn enriched by your devotion to him!
Ephesians 3:17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of of your life.
The weight of the snow, depending on type and maturity of the tree can cause the tree to bend or branches to break. At times, it can cause a trunk to split or the roots damaged and pulled from the ground. The tree then needs some loving care by its owner or the one who knows trees best, an arborist.
If it's a lightly on branches you can reach, it can be recommended to brush off the tree if it is small and is bending under the weight. If it's large and breaks or bends, call the professional. Roots pulled out. When ground is no longer frozen, loosen dirt, put the roots back in place and stake the tree for support.
Sometimes the weight of circumstance, trauma, our own flaws, or anything that restricts and inhibits you, is like the weight of the snow on the trees.
Isaiah 1:18 TPT Come now and let's deliberate over the next steps to take together. Yahweh promises you over and over; though your sins stain you like scarlet, I will whiten them like bright new fallen snow. Even thought they are deep red like crimson, they will be made white like wool!
I love this verse. I love what it means. The problem is, we try to carry those sins, stains, that are now white as snow, pure. We need to remove them, release them to Jesus. How? Let him love you. Let him brush them away. Let him fill your cracks. Let him be the one through the Holy Spirit to bring you back into balance.
Romans 8:4 So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!
And this one. The choice is yours. Let the Spirit have the control in you. Surrender is a beautiful thing. It means he not only cleanses us but: Psalm 103:12 NLT says that he has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. The two can never meet!
And lastly:
If damage has occurred and some branches have come off or the tree has a permanent lean, arborists accordingly prune the tree to cause growth that recreates balance. Pruning is vital to growth to put energy where it needs to facilitate healing and balance.
John 15: 1-2 TPT I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruistless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yeild a greater harvest.
In closing, where ever you find yourself on this day, I pray you can see the beauty that come in the clarity of the winter season. Look inward and see all that he has done and is doing as you continue to surrender and heal.
John 15:9 TPT I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts.
KTWL
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