[234]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - RIGID TREES ARE OUR EXAMPLE
Trees are a wonderful aspect of God’s creation and they are the mightiest organic structures on earth, discounting the great coral reefs. This poem is not about trees in general, but specific trees.
Those are the ones that are often found along some windy coastlines and the wind has so fashioned their branches that they are often found on one side of the tree only, leaning away from the wind. Over time the trunks of these trees have become so strong because they need to stand up to the howling winds.
I speak about the roots that go deep into the ground to hold those trees solid. These give the trees resistance against the gales.
The trees I focus on are ones in Australia called paperbarks because of the papery thin bark that you can peel from the trunks. These trees are in the Melaleuca family and called tea trees by some people. There are melaleucas now exported around the world, and an oil is made from them used medicinally, and for other uses.
The application I use is that the Christian must stand upright and strong against the gales that assault us. These are persecution, rejection, trouble, misunderstanding, and so many more that encounter us. One way we do that is to have our roots firmly planted in Jesus just as the trees probe deeply into the soil.
One stanza is this one –
[[Notice well, the lesson here –
When we face storms against us,
Character develops,
And strength, through hardship, gains.]]
That has a connection with this passage –
{{Romans 5:3-5 “Not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that TRIBULATION brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven CHARACTER, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”}}
The great image of the tree being likened to Christian growth and stability is found here –
{{Psalm 1:3 “and he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither and in whatever he does, he prospers.”}}
This poem is one of the very rare occasions when I use blank verse (no rhyme).
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RIGID TREES ARE OUR EXAMPLE
On the windswept, sandy coast,
Above the basalt boulders,
There stands a whitish cliff,
That faces out to sea.
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There, the south-east rain squalls howl;
Prevailing winds dominate,
Where stormy gusts have left,
A sculptured landscape stern.
======================
Fringing right along the cliff,
Grow hardy melaleucas.
Called Paperbarks also.
These trees keep stately form;
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On that cliff above the sea,
One sees the way these trees cope,
Against the driving wind,
Against the constant push.
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They resist the steady force,
To drive them flat and useless,
So they develop roots
That deeply probe the ground.
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Strong trunks too, gnarled and twisted,
And branches leaning away;
Survivors that are there
Adapting to that fight.
======================
Notice well, the lesson here –
When we face storms against us,
Character develops,
And strength, through hardship, gains.
======================
Your roots place deep in Jesus,
And anchor to His power;
Life’s driving battles face,
And you will stand your ground.
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Be steadfast when all gives way.
Stay strong in the rushing storm.
Like grizzled trees stay firm,
And upright in the gale.
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Only the Lord holds you fast;
There is no other person.
Hold on to Him always,
With assurance of faith.
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1/2 Sept of some unknown year. Completed 3 January 2022 (last 2 stanzas).
7-7-6-6 This poem is blank verse.