The Reason for the Season

Morton Arboretum's east woods in winter

Christmas is a time for us to get together with our loved ones, exchange gifts, and relax and reflect from the chaotic lifestyle that we live day to day. One thing though was on my heart as I thought about this time of the year, and that is the significance of Christmas... It says it all in the name. We all know that the main reason to celebrate Christmas is to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, but I've kept just reflecting on why this was so significant, and why I have taken it for granted. This is my Savior we're talking about! (and for many of you reading this blog, yours too!) Hundreds of years prior to this event, Old Testament prophets like Isaiah were predicting and awaiting for the day that the Messiah will come to rescue them. Jesus came to this earth humbly and was born in a manger from a virgin. He did not come in robes or descending from Heaven in a chariot of epicness, but pretty much a barn. Little did many know that this baby was the Son of God in human form. Shepherds and wise men were the only witnesses at the time. But, this child had a destiny to fulfill that was the most important event to us humans. He would grow up to teach, to tell the Law, to provide for those in need. He also came to give His life for ours. Jesus bared the weight of all our sins, yes every person's sins from when they were born until they died, on Himself so that we may have the chance to be with Him forever and not suffer eternal punishment. We are dead and have no life. We may be just dust in the wind (song reference). We never deserved this because of our disobedience to God. Yet, God loves us so much, that He gave the life of His Son so that we may have life with Him! John 3:16 in a nutshell! For those who believe the message of the Gospel are promised with eternity in Heaven. It won't be an easy time on earth, but the reward is worth it for faith and trust =)!

Remember the real reason for the season as you spend time with you family this Christmas season. Remember the grace that was brought to earth on that day. Remember the real gift of Christmas this year. God bless!

My Faith as a... Tree?

Eastern Hemlock and Tuliptree
March 2010 Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

I think of trees as the silent one's who don't get credit or much attention. They do stay in the same spot for their whole lives and grow, but we couldn't exist without them. Being plants, they undergo photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide with water and the sun's energy into the sugar compound, glucose. The main bi-product from this process is the oxygen that we breath. Trees are made of cellulose, pectin, and lignin. These strong proteins give trees their stiffness and strength, and we benefit from this by using the lumber for building many structures for our shelter and daily lives. The majority of the fruit that we eat comes from hundreds of tree species, as well as hundreds of medical products. Trees are a symbol of wisdom, longevity, and strength in many cultures, and the aesthetic appeal that they give us with flowers, leaves, and much needed shade are spectacular. I think that trees are pretty amazing organisms, and it's seems like that I use them as an example of my growth in my faith with Jesus.

Autumn at Devil's Lake State Park
October 2010 Baraboo, Wisconsin

Here's how I see it. When the gospel has been shared with someone, a seed is planted in their heart. If they cultivate their soil right, then that seed will germinate into a tree who's growth will be guided by the greatest Light in the universe. Like all trees, progress is slow when growing, but it'll all pay off. There are times when conditions are great, and the nutrients and water from the Word of God fuel your growth! However, there will be times when growth will slow and eventually go dormant. But just remember, trees need dormancy to successfully produce fruit ; )
In general, trees put up with many environmental stress factors. Drought, lightening, high winds, fire, insects, and ice can damage such a strong organism. A single storm could destroy decades of growth in the blink of an eye. Many of these trees who fall in these events are unhealthy in some way from disease and stress, and out in the open without any protection. As a follower of Christ, there are many storms in our lives that our tree will put up with. Branches can be knocked off here and there, but if our tree is healthy with the Light and vital minerals from the Word, it can endure through these tough times. A sick and unhealthy tree, however, may fall over in a storm (this is what happened to my faith tree). But, it's not the end. When a tree falls over in a storm, dormant buds sprout from the stump, and vigorous  growth begins towards the light. This growth is usually healthier and more active then the previous. My tree may have fell in a major storm, but I know that the Light will always be there and constant, and I began to get more nutrients back in my life, and vigorous began to sprout again, and this "rebirth" of my faith is healthy this time. Plus, I was left in the open exposed to the elements. Now, I'm in a forest of other trees (followers) in different stages in their growth who are there for protection, support, and guidance. I like to call it the "Forest of Christ."
This is just how I see faith because God has helped me to use creation as examples of how to hike more miles with my Father through the wilderness. Just remember to keep you tree healthy with the right amount of water, minerals, and light. Also, growth is always with some companion trees around. With all this in you life, that seed will grow into a sturdy and mighty tree that will produce fruit so that new trees will sprout in the world.

Bur Oak at sunset
July 2008 near Bemidji Minnesota

Finding the Obvious: Gift from God

Wild Lupine
May, 2009 Illinois Beach State Park
Zion, IL

I was attending my usual Sunday church service, and our pastor was talking about how as Christians, we should be on a constant fire for our Savior and how the Holy Spirit has made us unique to not only praise Him, but also to spread His word to others. Some like praising and sharing Jesus with music, while others enjoy deep prayer. For myself, I realized that I fell into a different category when he mentioned, " Some of you enjoy hiking and being in creation..." A light bulb turned on, a hamster started running on his wheel, a spark what lit, the sun began to rise... well you get the point.
Now, I've known for a long time that God made me just a little different then the rest of the 5, 999, 999, 999 or so people currently on this planet (you'd be amazed how hard it is to find people to talk to about the different plant communities of the midwest), but I never knew why. For those of you who know me, You pretty much figured this out about me from when you met me, but I never knew how significant a spiritual gift can be in an individual's life. These examples were going through my head today.
First one, I always get a so called "seasonal depression" every winter. I'm usually not myself this time of the year, and I do not think clearly or have thoughts in my head about myself that I wouldn't expect from me. But once the snow melts and the weather warms, I go outside again to do all the activities that I love to do in the outdoors. Basically, God made me to worship Him with the great artwork that He has surrounded me with, and if I avoid that niche in my life, then I avoid crucial time in my hike with my Father.
Second, it seems like I understand a faith-based relationship with Jesus with different analogies that I pick up from nature... like this blog! For instance, I've always seen my christian life as a tree (I'll explain this in another post coming shortly), or faith is like photosynthesis: you need light (in this case, the Light of the world) in order to properly grow. A life with Jesus can completely change you forever like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, or singing you heart out in praise like a songbird on a spring morning. It seems like God has shown me these things to get a better understanding of what my life should look like.
This seems so obvious to others that I have been gifted by the Holy Spirit for my love of creation and why I like it so much, yet it's taken me years to figure this out. God has given us spiritual gift for His glory and to help spread the ultimate gift, sufficient grace of Jesus Christ, to others. If you haven't found yours yet, then pray about it so that it may be revealed to you.