The Tree of Life

“Now, think of as many words as you can to describe a tree, and how it makes you feel.”

So said the leader of our workshop, based on the book, “The Man Who Planted Trees”. Several minutes later, the flipchart was adorned with the most beautiful, complimentary words. Anyone would have been delighted to be described this way!

The next seven Tuesdays were spent constructing just this sort of tree, based on a cardboard structure 7 feet high. We created papier maché acorns. The more competent among us – which, of course, did not include me – were guided by our workshop leaders to make swifts and squirrels. There is even a fox, which I was given the privilege of painting in sparkling gold. With the aid of polystyrene sheets and acrylic paint, we printed paper leaves which give our tree the most realistic of appearances.

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On the penultimate week, I came to the workshop late, feeling fed up due to an upsetting personal situation. The leader asked me if I’d like to write the words from Week 1 onto the tree trunk. Not being at my most creative, I could cope with this task, which I set about with a white and a black acrylic pen. [There are about 20 words, of which I’ve chosen 8 examples].

Looking at the words, I felt grieved. Many modern minds will murmur their assent, believing that this ancient earth contains the deepest secrets of wisdom. And I agree – to a point. But many would go further. They assert that mankind’s salvation is to be found in restoring our relationship with nature, and that the tree is almost an object of worship. But…wait a minute! Haven’t we heard of such a tree before?

Football fans, such as Liverpool’s ‘KOP’, often chant to encourage their team:

“We shall not, we shall not be moved (repeat),

Just like a tree that’s planted by the waterside

We shall not be moved.”

The chant was widely adopted by protest movements in the USA during the early 20^th century. Originally it’s thought to have been sung by African slaves to encourage each other to stand firm in their faith under oppression. What’s it based upon?

“That 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 verse 3)

‘That person’, did you say? What person? And you may be surprised. It’s quite likely you’re going to meet someone who’s lived through a lot of grief, like – if I am right – those slaves. The prophet Isaiah said that God’s servant (Jesus) would come:

“to comfort all who mourn,
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendour. (Isaiah 61 vs 3)

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Last week, I attended ‘United’, a day conference organised by Christians Against Poverty. We listened as a number of clients told their stories. These followed a familiar pattern of having landed in debt through fleeing abuse, relationship breakdown or losing a job. The sense of hopelessness followed by contemplating or attempting suicide. Loneliness, hiding indoors hoping nobody comes knocking. Then somehow – often through a referral from a food bank or a doctor’s surgery – discovering CAP. The relief when two friendly faces turn up, and take away that pile of bills…And their most important message: God loves you!

For most clients, it makes sense to go through a Debt Relief Order, although to stay debt free, it’s important to go on CAP’s Budgeting and Life Skills courses. Those whom we met at ‘United’ had appreciated the loving care they’d received, discovered a faith in Jesus, and had become part of a church community. Next, with a sense of excitement and deep gratitude, they told us how they themselves had become the friendly faces at new clients’ doors, and were learning to deliver CAP’s courses. Oaks of righteousness, indeed!

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In the biblical picture, it’s not the tree itself that gives life. Rather, it reflects the qualities of the stream from which it draws water – God’s presence.

Beautiful trees lead me to worship not the trees themselves, but their Creator.