I have gone to one spot on a number of spiritual retreats for more than ten years.  While there I have spent significant amounts of time looking at a wonderful old tree.  I have watched it change through the seasons, each season highlighting different colors and aspects of this great and familiar tree.

Recently, however, I noticed that one of its main branches was broken.  It was one of my favorite branches, but it was almost completely stripped from the tree ... left dangling by a thread.  The damage made me sad - some of the majesty of the tree was marred.

I looked at the tree again and noticed its top branches swaying in the wind, as if worshiping God.  And I heard the words of a song, "Blessed be Your name ... You give and take away."  It was as if the tree was unashamedly worshiping God with all its heart.  Its brokenness did not hinder its ability to give God glory.

The other trees in the area were not as tall as "my tree."  Their top branches did not reach high enough to be caught in the wind, so they were dead still.  The trees looked healthy and intact, but they were not worshiping.  They were not old enough or mature enough to perceive the "wind of God."

"My" old tree still had a fresh heart of worship.  Its brokenness left no shame.  My favorite branch had been all but cut off the tree, but the tree was still beautiful as it swayed in the wind.  The broken branch did not limit its expression; rather it served as a battle scar. 

These battle scars point to the marks of spiritual maturity.  Mature believers have all walked through battles and been wounded in life.  They all walk with some kind of limp, like Jacob - after wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:22-32); but their hearts are tender and full of thankfulness and worship.  Maturity in the Kingdom of God is a mixture of brokenness and beauty; wounds that have been healed, but still leave their mark; a concoction of forgiveness and worship.

Are you willing to be a mature tree in God's Kingdom, a tree that weathers storms - and suffers some broken branches along the way?  Are you willing to be vulnerable in your brokenness - not trying to hide or cover your experiences and history?  Are you willing to worship and give thanks in all circumstances? (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Wounded, yet worshiping with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org

www.rolcboston.org