How well do you weather the storms of life? Like many others, we closely monitored the hurricane weather updates in full alert. As I watched the strong winds whip the palm trees, almost bending them in half, I was curious how they could withstand such winds. After the hurricane made its way through leaving its damage behind, my curiosity led me to some quick research.
These two qualities left me pleasantly inspired & encouraged!
The root system is unique that it does not grow smaller as it branches out. While most tree roots get smaller the further from the trunk, the palm tree roots maintain a similar girth as they grow making it a challenge to pull up.
Like a tree, Christ followers are to “be rooted and built up in Him.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
I love how Isaiah 37:31 says not only are we to “take root downward,” we are to “bear fruit upward.” David said the blessed person is “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
I find this next quality fascinating! As the palm tree ages, the fruit grows sweeter. While most fruit trees decrease or end fruit production with age, the palm tree does not even bear fruit until they are mature. Some say, this may take upward to 50 years.
Can I tell you something very personal? Upon turning 50, I’ve been feeling a little old. I’ve even questioned if I missed my ministry opportunity. I’ve experienced negative thoughts, “Am I too old to connect with the younger generation?” “Is God finished with me?” It brings me great comfort knowing God desires we become more fruitful as we age. The fruit of our lives should increase and become sweeter as the years go by and oh how the years are going by! I’m closely watching the generations ahead of me, learning from your rooted & fruitful lives! Oh, how I long to bear fruit and for my fruit to grow sweeter!
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green… Psalm 92:12-14
Are you flourishing like a palm tree? Perhaps you need to take root in Christ and bearing fruit upward!
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
Photo by Alec Bennett on Unsplash