Selfless Surrender

³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9 | NIV84

The photo shown was taken in early April, right at the beginning of the growing season. If you look closely at the tree, notice how the longer branches have not budded nor developed any new leaves for Spring. The only new growth is the green leaves in the center. It is unusual for a tree to only produce green leaves from the inside out. Evidently, over the winter or late the previous Fall, the full-grown branches had died. When Spring came, there was enough life left within the trunk of the tree to develop a new set of fresh leaves and branches.

In order for this tree’s new green leaves to flourish, it would be imperative to cut away all those dead branches. The cutting away process would be a huge change for the tree and how it looks, but would be necessary for its survival. You see, even though there are branches that appear to be dead, they still drain the tree of nutrients. The dead branches become a burden to the newly developing green leaves because the nutrients are being divided between the half dead and living branches.

The only way to help the new growth become stronger, is to cut away the dead branches, otherwise, the new leaves may not get enough food to properly grow. Not only do the old branches need to be cut away, but the soil will need fresh dirt with some fertilizer mixed in.

The tree and its branches somewhat symbolize the spiritual growth of a believer. Jesus comes along and reveals a wonderful Truth (like the sower above) and that Truth begins to grow inside the believer, like the green leaves inside the tree. However, the existing, dead branches can redirect the new Truth’s life away from the green leaves. Sometimes those old dead branches can symbolize man-made doctrines or meaningless religious ceremonies. Often people trade Truth for tradition and in that process, they risk what little spiritual growth they have within them for dead doctrines. People do this because traditional doctrines sometimes feel better, or they are more comfortable. It’s easier, after all, to have someone teach you the Word, rather than studying on your own. It’s easier to regurgitate what the church’s statement of faith is, rather than fully understanding what you truly believe.

The new growth, that new Truth, can eventually get squashed by the old non-spiritual traditions and even though the tree will still be standing there, it will be covered in dead branches.

Refresh your hearts with the Word of God and heart-felt prayer. Get alone with God, sit and listen. Let the Holy Spirit become your Teacher and let Him reveal His many wonderful life-giving Truths. Allow God to cut away those dead branches so that what He has shown you, may grow stronger with each and every day. My friends, Jesus is returning. Scripture says that we must be ready for the Bridegroom to return. Seek Him while He still may be found.