Water, Water Everywhere...

My home is located in the middle of a forest, where we have lots of mature, beautiful trees. It is a lovely place. This past winter, one of our trees split apart. One half of its “Y” shape took a trip right into the swamp.

Then, a month ago, the main portion of this enormous tree fell down during high winds. It was a pretty spectacular fall, coming right toward the house (within 20 feet of hitting the house)! It took out quite a few other trees as it fell. At the time, we were baffled as to why this seemingly healthy tree just split apart & fell down. As far as we knew, on the outside, it was a huge, healthy tree!

A friend of ours came over last weekend & used a large chain saw to cut the tree into smaller pieces. That’s when we got a big surprise! As he cut up the tree, the bottom third seemed to be perfectly fine. The rings looked healthy. But as he started cutting further up the tree, a hole began to appear. Suddenly, about 2 GALLONS of water POURED out of the center of the tree!!

It was clear that the core of the tree had died, right in the middle, so that water was collecting in the interior of the tree, but not nourishing the tree. So a seemingly healthy, beautiful tree came crashing down, because it was sick inside.

As I thought about this, I realized how much this applies to me, & maybe some other Christians too. Writing a Christian blog is no easy thing. Sometimes, my heart just isn’t right before God, & I know it would be hypocrisy for me to sit & write things for others to read. It’s so important to me that I am in the Spirit when I write, so it’s very common for me to do a “5-second motives check” to ensure that my heart is right. Some days, I don't write at all, because I'm struggling.

How many of us are like that hollow tree sometimes? Oh, we look great on the outside & do all of the seemingly Christian things! But how many of us are sick inside? If you are, you KNOW you are. If so, you need to listen to the Voice speaking deep in your heart, & do whatever it takes to be right with our Lord.

As we near Resurrection Day & our celebration of the greatest Gift we could ever receive, take a moment to take a look at YOUR insides.

Don’t be a hollow tree.

After all the things that You have shown me,
I’d be a fool to let them slip away.
Been doing things I know I shouldn’t do,
But I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.

After all, I’ve only grieved Your Spirit,
And then I don’t know why You stay with me.
But every time I fall Your love comes through
And I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.

When the light is gone
And good times are getting old,
There’s no one left to count on
And all my friends are cold.
When I thirst for love, Oh Lord,
You’re a fountain to my soul,
My soul, my soul. Ooooh, my soul.

In a way, my life is full of burdens,
But in a way, You carry them for me, Jesus.
‘Cause no one understands the way You do,
And You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.

Well every day I pray to start anew,
‘Cause You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You, from You.

~~”I Don’t Wanna Fall Away From You” by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)