The Shepherd’s Tree

I’ve read about a tree in the southern portion of Africa called the Shepherd’s Tree. It grows in areas where there is little rainfall and thrives in harsh environments. It provides valuable resources to both humans and animals in such conditions which helps maintain the ecosystem in those regions. Shepherds use its fruit like a coffee bean giving them caffeine and something to drink. Its wood can be used for making utensils, while it’s leave have medicinal properties. Some people even refer to this as the Tree of Life. One of the most important features though is that its roots go down deep into the soil. In fact they go deeper than any other tree, reaching more than 150 feet deep. This tree reminds me of who we are called to be as Christians.

Psalm 1 describes the person who lives according to God’s Word, meditates on it and delights in it. Verse 3 says we will be like trees that are planted by a riverbank. Those trees have all the water they need in order to produce in any environment and any season. We’re called to bear fruit in any season as believers. Paul described the fruit as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, long suffering, gentleness and self control. The fruit we bear will help us and others in any situation. Verse 3 also says their leaves will not whither. Remember the leaves have medical significance bringing healing to anyone around us. All of these things happen in our lives the same way the Shepherd’s Tree does them. It comes down to our roots and how deeply they’re planted.

Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (NLT). The deeper our roots grow in Christ, the more we will be able to produce fruit, healing and life giving resources. Our lives must be built on Him so that we can withstand any environment or conditions that come against us. Our faith will be strong and contagious because our lives are based in the Word of God rather than the shifting sands of culture. Finally, we will live a life overflowing with thankfulness. The more we give thanks to God, the more we recognize by faith that all we have comes from Him. When we live with that kind of mindfulness, He gives us more in order to provide for the people around us. We truly will be like the Shepherd’s Tree.

Photo by Pawan Sharma on Unsplash