Be Like a Tree

It was reported in the newspapers yesterday that hundreds of people have begun evacuating resort islands off Australia's east coast in preparation for a powerful cyclone heading its way with winds of up to 168 kilometres an hour.

The Swallow cannot imagine the magnitude of this cyclone as Singapore has never been hit by one before.  Singapore is situated in a part of the world that is relatively unaffected by natural disasters.  In her years after moving to Singapore, the Swallow has only felt tremors when nearby Indonesian islands were hit by earthquakes.

However, the Swallow had a glimpse of what strong winds can do.  Yesterday, there were several minutes when strong winds blew.  The Swallow heard several of her neighbours' doors slamming shut, her own windows rattling in their casings, and the howl of the winds as they blew in through narrow passageways.  The Swallow is grateful that those who planted a huge tree outside her home did a good job as the tree, which was almost eight storeys high, stayed rooted and strong.  The only thing it did was sway with the wind, left and right, and left and right...

One of the Swallow's young ones couldn't make up his mind today about some matters that needed his decision.  One moment, he decided on one thing.  The next moment, he changed his mind.  Then he changed his mind again, and again...the Swallow thinks that if he could, the young one would want everything at the same time...sometimes the Swallow does that too...a chip off the old block!

Life is like that, isn't it?  Men want everything they can get their hands on.  They follow their heart, or mind, or whatever it is, without stopping to think of the consequences of their actions.  They move as if with the wind, going whichever way the wind blows.

The Swallow is learning (still...) to be like a tree that stays rooted and strong in the right foundation with flexibility in her branches and leaves, so that even when there are strong winds (or cyclones!), she will not be broken down.  Instead, she will be able to withstand the forces that come at her with a steadfast spirit, trusting in her Lord to see her through the disasters.  She will be able to go with the flow, yet not blown away like chaff driven by the wind.

Psalm 1 : 1 - 3 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither,
And whatever he does shall prosper.

BE LIKE A TREE by Paul & Denise Smith

I'm gonna be like a tree
Planted by the waters
Trusting in the Father
To keep me strong
I'm gonna be like a tree
Planted by the waters
Trusting in the name
Of the Lord
I'm gonna be like a tree
Planted by the waters
Trusting in the Father
To help me grow
I'm gonna be like a tree
Planted by the waters
Trusting in the name
Of the Lord.
The deeper the roots go
The better the fruits grow
The blessings bloom out
For all to see
The deeper the roots go
The more will my life show
That Jesus is the Lord of me!