A little over a week ago I was taking a prayer walk through the woods and saw this toppled oak tree. Just days before it stood tall and majestic. But a wild windstorm swept through our area and it came crashing down. Though everything looked fine on the outside, carpenter ants had eaten away its core. Large oak trees are sometimes like that. They can look strong and impressive but actually be weak, ready to fall when the next storm hits. There was a connection between what I saw and healthy disciples.
I find it sobering because our lives can be that way. Perhaps we look strong and capable to others and ourselves. And maybe our lives are even producing good things. All the while, however, things can be out of whack and getting hollow inside.
Healthy Disciples
I want to listen to the lesson of this oak. I want to be strong inside and out. Looking at this tree made me ask, what do I need to give attention to in this season of life for inner strength and long-term resilience?
