Some of you may know quite well by now our email address. The prefix of that address is Gingertree72. There is a little story behind that. Debbie and I both have an affinity with trees, particularly in reference to:
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (Ps 1:3):
Blessed is the person who trusts Yahweh (the Lord God). Yahweh will be his confidence.
He will be like a tree that is planted by water. It will send its roots down to a stream. It will not be afraid in the heat of summer. Its leaves will turn green. It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit.
He will be like a tree that is planted by water. It will send its roots down to a stream. It will not be afraid in the heat of summer. Its leaves will turn green. It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit.
It seemed fitting to combine tree with that lovely spice, ginger – I wonder why ginger?! Ironically ginger is not actually produced on a tree but it is actually a root – a little humour there too. The number 72 is…well, I’ll let you work that one out!
I noticed afresh just before typing this that there is a contrast in the Jeremiah passage in verses 5 and 6 with a bush, living in a dry wilderness and not producing anything – this happens when “… the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from Yahweh”
Trees are important to all of us not least our family email address! When one looks at a tree in winter you can liken it similarly to the branching structure of lungs. It has been said that they are the lungs of the earth, and they give us oxygen in fair exchange for carbon dioxide. They also provide a home for a whole host of wildlife. The oak tree itself has around 350 species living on it and are sustained by it. One of the biggest environmental problems we face globally is deforestation, not only does it affect wildlife it affects whole communities of people who rely on trees.
Something else that struck me about trees once was in reference to the river of life that comes from the temple of God, mentioned in Ezekiel 47:7 Then the man led me back along the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw many trees on both sides of the river. It occurred to me then that these trees were acting as signposts highlighting where the river was. Certain types of trees like growing by rivers and form a line. When you look at them from a distance you would get a clue to what was there and head towards it. Those of us following Jesus are like trees, we act as signposts to the river of life that leads to the temple of God.
Creation starts with two trees and the last book of the Bible has one; a very special tree. That tree is visible from both sides of the river flowing from God’s throne and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. (He is out to heal nations not just individuals there’s a powerful statement in itself)!
There are other references to trees in the bible this is just a little taste. Next time you look at trees think about how we rely on them and how much we need them, maybe even…give one a hug! Go on you know you want to!