SEED AND OR TREE

Seasons Series (3 part)

1)   Seed &/ tree?

Little rain drops playing a drumbeat on the roof, melodiously out-of-sync. I am looking at the brewing storm from my bedroom window, particularly taken by these two tall trees located not far from my neighbour’s house behind me.                                 -              Thunder. Lightning. Storm.

Thoughts, brewing… just as well.

Watched an amazing movie last year called collateral beauty. Collateral beauty rather than Collateral damage; which is a phrase used to describe when something good happens but results in an adverse effect especially on usually innocent people. In order, par exemple, to be a successful and profitable business, some employees must be let go. So collateral beauty is the opposite. You see something positive as a result of a bad thing or occurence. Beauty in falling apart in a sense. It was present in this picture I was seeing.

Trees standing in the storm. How fascinating is physics. You know how if you drop a pebble in a puddle, the water splashes outwards from the circumference of the point of impact. It would look like a crown if you captured the moment. They call it the law of displacement. That if you put something where another thing was, then what was there was previously, moves to accommodate what is there now. Nothing can occupy the same space.

Is it not interesting that trees stand in the storm? If a ghastly wind blew against it would rustle or shake off the leaves. If a hurricane emanated it may break a few branches or bend the tree. But rarely does anything displace a strong and mature tree. So a strong tree, would lose a branch a two and many leaves, or even bend a little bit after a storm but still be standing. It may not stand upright but it stands still.

The nature of displacement is, only an object of greater weight, force or density can displace another. The strength of the building is in the foundation which is why it is the strongest, most expensive and time consuming aspect of building. Likewise, seeds are buried in order for a root to sprout before the budding begins. Roots are the foundation of the plants. You find that trees with shallow roots are uprooted completely by violent winds. Under ideal soil and moisture conditions, roots have been observed to grow to more than 6 metres (20 feet) deep. The taller the tree the deeper the roots. The wider the trunk, the wider the root array underground.

A seed is called a dormant plant.
Dormancy is a mechanism to prevent germination during unsuitable ecological conditions, when the probability of seedling survival is low.

For example a seed will be dormant in winter. Dormant, not dead. Wouldn’t it be a convenient time to be a seed? When it is winter, to protect you from death as you grow, the process is held off. The tree understands it has enough strength to withstand the storm though the seed doesn’t. Trees have outgrown that season and there in no rewind or shrink back function in its system.

Iridescence. The light flashes in the sky. Yet there they stand; proud, immovable and tall [in the storm] because for each one, it will diligently stand to fulfil its purpose. That’s its design till the end of its life. It understood much better than we do. It was a seed… it didn’t ask God; why it was dark, why it couldn’t see the light or why it was taking so long to grow tall. It grew, patiently, understanding that there are seasons. As it does now, standing in the storm.

In your seed season, you must grow roots in the dark with blind faith trusting the sower. Though you cannot see, He is watchful. When you’ve grown, you sprout into the light and now you can see. He gives you vision and resources in daily doses to keep you going. You behold, you possess and you do not know how but in gratitude you continue to grow [to become]. However, if it is tough above the ground you have to trust the season of germination delay.

See, the rest of creation does not have free will. They [nature, skies, plants and animals] have to yield to seasons. They do not have the opportunity to resist them as we do. God gave us free will because we are made in his likeness. We see the positive results of complete obedience in nature, in physics and all around us. Eco systems run effectively without additional input because they yield. They recognise the seasons. I believe you could experience both seasons simultaneously. I am certainly grateful because I am laying my foundation in both trying seasons to withstand the tests to come.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Questions?

Where in your life are you a seed?

Are you in a season of delayed germination?

Is there a storm around you?

Will you stand?

What is your foundation?

Short Prayer:

Lord instruct me as I lay my foundation and grow me roots for the ability to stand in coming seasons. May you teach me Father, to discern the seasons and yield in obedience. In Jesus’ name I pray,Amen

VERSE 1

Like the frost on a rose

Winter comes for us all

Oh how nature acquaints us

With the nature of patience

Like a seed in the snow

I’ve been buried to grow

For Your promise is loyal

From seed to sequoia

PRE-CHORUS

I know

CHORUS

Though the winter is long even richer

The harvest it brings

Though my waiting prolongs even greater

Your promise for me like a seed

I believe that my season will come

[Seasons by Hillsong Worship]

(Images used are not my intellectual property. they were free images googled online. No attempt to rip off artist or photographers have been made).