Apples of Gold

Recently a crazy storm blew through our area. Menacing and ominous dark clouds approached, literally sounding as if they were growling. Several very large trees were ripped from the ground and sprawled across the road. 

The root systems of these trees had not been established enough to sustain them as high winds whipped through. Moments before, the trees appeared strong and healthy; covered with the new leaves of spring and showing no signs of distress. Now they were uprooted and would soon be dissected by chainsaws and hauled away in pieces. 

The sudden demise of our neighborhood trees serves as a reminder to take care of our spiritual foundation.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3

Trees along the banks of a river often grow in odd directions. The massive root systems are partially exposed, at times growing almost horizontal, stretching out in constant pursuit of the sun. The roots of these trees grow deep and spread wide, securely anchoring the heft of the adventurous trunk.

This passage warns us not to judge ourselves, or others, merely by outward appearance.  Have you ever purchased a book because the picture on the cover was intriguing, only to quickly realize the content was sorely lacking? Appearance is the easy part. Just ask the Pharisees:

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy-full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs-beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:25-28

Oh boy! Just like the Pharisees we can rise to prominence, power and popularity, an illusionary facade reaping accolades and admiration from an unmindful and undiscerning following. The constant scrutiny of our own hearts, assumptions and motives is indispensable to ensure that our ascent doesn’t outpace the deepening of our foundation. 

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruits, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. Matthew 7:15-18

Another indicator of our true spiritual health is our fruit. While our roots are usually invisible and only God and ourselves know how healthy they truly are, the quality of our fruit is visible to all. Do our words and actions tend to bring wholeness and healing or division and discouragement? What do those who we allow close enough to see the deepest parts of our hearts see reflected there? And perhaps just as crucial, do they feel comfortable articulating a compassionate warning when they catch a glimpse of a potential pitfall? How responsive are we to the Holy Spirit’s whisper of correction? Shrugging it off is an option. Excusing such a minor faux pas, after all we see others doing much worse, surely letting this slide could do no harm.

Just as a tinge of mold quickly spreads through an entire bowl of fruit an unresponsive heart to conviction or correction can quickly  spoil the fruit of our lives. Discipline is a proactive means of fostering continued maturity, and an indication of meaningful relationship. We should not dread, and must not disregard it.

For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Hebrews 12:6-8

Sometimes roots have to push through tight spaces and even crack rocks in order to go deep. We too have times we have to plow through the muck and mire, trudging on inspite of difficulties we are facing. 

Most of us would not trade our times of growth for anything, once we have trudged through them, and yet we often wish for an exit at their pinnacle. 

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak news. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:11-13