Flourishing in Every Season

There is a lot we can learn from nature.  Lately, I have been impressed by the lessons from watching trees.  Especially during all our winter storms this year.

Here is a lovely “middle aged” birch tree in our back yard during a recent snowstorm:

Notice that it is standing strong despite the adversity of the wind and the snow.  It is in its season of “rest” as its buds are already preparing for spring.  Last summer it flourished with a beautiful, lush, green canopy.  And in fall it was adorned in the gold of maturity.  

That tree personally reminds me of my season right now.  I too am preparing for a season change with my announced retirement (again) in May, 2022 (on my birthday)!  And currently somewhat “dormant” with all the lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

Several of the ancient writers of Scripture also liken trees to human life. I have been particularly impressed with Psalm 1. It is entitled “The Tree of Life.“

What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways!
He won’t walk in step with the wicked,
nor share the sinner’s way,
nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.
His pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,”
meditating day and night in the true revelation of light.
He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree
planted by God’s design,
deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss,
bearing fruit in every season of his life.
He is never dry, never fainting,
ever blessed, ever prosperous. (Psalm 1:1-3 TPT)

There are several great life lessons there on how to flourish in all seasons. 

Pick your friends carefully

The late Eugene Peterson, who paraphrased the entire Holy Bible into common, everyday language put the first verse this way:

How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

Eugene Peterson, The Message

In other words, you are better not to hangout with people that will take you down–compulsive overconsumption, career or relational dead-ends, or prideful arrogance.

A good illustration was when post-tropical storm Dorian hit our waterfront. A large spruce tree on our neighbour’s lot that looked entirely healthy with a massive truck, broke off with the nor’easter where the trunk had an invisible area of rot, and took several of our healthy trees with it! We ended up with a massive cleanup!

It has been said that, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” There is some good research to back that up. The scientific reason is our “mirror neurons,” where they imitate the neurons (faces, actions, words) of those we spend time with.

So, get involved in a close community of people who will help you spiral upward. Here is an inspiring message by John Mark Comer on the power of spiritual community.

Meditate

The ancient practise of meditation has made a huge comeback after neuroscientists have repeatedly demonstrated the benefits on our total well-being. This psalm was likely written between the 9th and 5th centuries BC (before Christ).

Here the psalmist writes:

His pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,” meditating day and night in the true revelation of light.

Psalm 1:2, Holy Bible

Spend some daily quiet time in solitude and reflection, meditating on a verse, or in centreing prayer. There are apps like Abide or Calm that will help you get started.

Our friend Joshua Hoffert of Wind Ministries has some great resources to go deep in this spiritual discipline.

Recognize God’s design and plan for your life

The tree in our psalm was “planted by God’s design.” The ancient prophet Jeremiah also talked about design: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Here we are reminded to know our true identity and our mission, or calling, in life.

Lots of research supports the notion that finding meaning and purpose in life promotes both physical and mental health.

Become deeply rooted

Here is a tree that illustrates the opposite of flourishing – in today’s language, we might call it “burnout.”  It is a maple tree and the photo was taken on July 16, the prime of summer.  What do you notice?

It’s leaves are shrivelling and beginning to fall to the ground.  As I explored why this tree was “burning out” in its prime, I turned to the trunk.  Here is what I found!

I don’t know what caused this straight line of damage but it was not I, the “gardener!”  I do some pruning, but definitely not down there.  If the tree dies completely, I will need to cut it down. I may find out if it is ants or some other infestation or disease.  Maybe an over zealous whipper-snipper?

But it certainly looks like it was something traumatic.  Unresolved trauma will do that to us as well.

Recognize your need and get help before you “begin to drop your leaves!” Here being self-aware and accountable in community is so essential. Often others see our “scars” before we do.

Post-traumatic growth

Here is an inspirational tree that obviously endured a season of trauma!

It must have suffered a “kink” in its truck while a sapling but it has recovered and is now flourishing again.  We call that “post-traumatic growth,” and we would say that tree is “resilient.”

Back to my winter tree in my own yard.  In 100 k winds, it stands strong and is obviously “deeply rooted.”  We live on a river which you can see behind it (although currently frozen over, still provides moisture).  It withstands adversity.

A biosphere experiment some years ago was designed to observe nature thrive under a dome that simulated the earth’s healthy atmosphere.  Except, there was no wind.  Trees would flourish but the researchers found that they collapsed under their own weight – because they never developed strength in their roots and trunk as they were not exposed to wind.  

Trees will only flourish as they withstand the winds of adversity.

Are you flourishing

Jesus Himself often used nature metaphors in his teaching. He talked about sowers and seed, fig trees, and grapevines. In one passage, he encouraged his followers to “bear abundant fruit.”

“When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!”

Jesus in John 15:8

No matter your season, your “tree of life” is meant to add beauty to your world, and “fruit” to nourish those around you whom you are called to serve.

The wind of adversity that is blowing so strong during this pandemic may be revealing your superficial roots or a crack in your trunk.  Maybe a mental illness challenge became more evident. Or a lingering physical illness worsened.

Personally, the loss of connection with colleagues while working from home, and not practising “hands-on” medicine or teaching, brought me close to the verge of depression (the first time in my life). My own “tree trunk” was significantly traumatized with the loss of my dad at age 15.

But no trunk is so damaged, or roots are so sparse or superficial, that there is no hope for recovery and healing. I am grateful for my spiritual “roots,” and intimate spiritual community, that helped me through the drought of lockdowns and the loss of connection.

So for you, regardless or your season, or your current struggle, there is hope and help. We understand so much more now about the role of systemic chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation as common roots to many lingering dis-eases. Both of these are reversible by living the Circles of Renewal and Growth.

Reach out for help to start your own journey of healing, growth and transformation.

The Bible starts with a tree in Genesis and ends with the Tree of Life in Revelation 22:

“The river was flowing in the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river was the Tree of Life, with its twelve kinds of ripe fruit according to each month of the year. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2 (TPT)

Here, for those with the faith to believe it, lies the hope not only for the winds of adversity called Covid-19, but all that hinders and divides us.

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Compassionately,