Learning from Trees

By Francis Kong

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:08 AM PST

Part of our high school educational requirement many years ago was to plant trees. Under the scorching heat of the sun, the continuous prodding of our teachers, we planted trees. Now I don’t know what happened because it is very apparent that I am not gifted with the skill to grow things. Every single flower I planted died. But I suppose some good happened out from the efforts the students did.

The following article from an unknown author is entitled “All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees”. And here are the lessons:

* It’s important to have roots.
* In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out.
* If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.
* Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind blows.
* Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
* Grow where you’re planted.
* It’s perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.
* Avoid people who would like to cut you down.
* Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.
* If the party gets boring, just leaf.
* You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.
* It’s more important to be honest than poplar.

Those are some good lessons. They remind me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

The Psalmist says that a godly man is like a tree in three very important ways. First, he is planted – he’s got his roots put down deep, he’s fortified, stable. Second, he bears fruit – he develops godlike qualities in his character and life. Third, he doesn’t wither – he is able to survive under all circumstances, even days of difficulty.

Stay away from the losers. The company you keep can make you or break you.

But the person who puts his faith in God and certainly not only meditates on The Word but follows the commands of God will find sure success.

And then the winner knows timing. And he knows that God is the perfect Timer.

And when success comes it is long and it is lasting. Not get rich quick, not overnight and not at the expense of others.

There’s a lot we can learn from trees.

And as we talk about trees today, let me end with a story about trees.

A man was watching his eighty-year-old neighbor planting a small peach tree. He inquired of him as follows: “You don’t expect to eat peaches from that tree, do you?” The old man rested on his spade. He said, “No, at my age I know I won’t. But all my life I’ve enjoyed peaches–never from a tree I planted myself. I’m just trying to pay the other fellows who planted the trees for me.”

Be a good father and raise up good kids who will blossom into becoming useful citizens.

Be a good boss and influence your people to be the best they can ever be.

Be a good mother and raise up a godly family that will form the core of a powerful nation.

Be a good citizen and help make this country a better place.

When we are doing things like these, we are planting trees.

So why don’t you go out and plant a tree for someone?