This past week, I was home alone and heard a huge cracking noise. I looked out the window to see that one of my favorite oak trees had lost a branch. It is common for oaks to drop branches even if they are healthy (it’s so common that we warn guests not to park under them).
As I sat there looking at the tree, I was reminded of John 15:1-2 where Jesus says, ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.” It hit me deeply that God not only cuts off bad things, but He also prunes good things to allow for more growth. Even though pruning is meant for good, it felt as though the branch had fallen straight onto my heart and crushed it. I stubbornly don’t want the good things to be pruned away in my life. I don’t want to say goodbye to my family, my home, my community, my church, my friends, and so many other good things that I love. However, in order to move to SE Asia and bear more good fruit, I must.
As I sat in lament, I remembered a verse in Isaiah 61 about an oak tree. When I looked it up, this is what I read:
“to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” (v.3)
How fitting. The same verse that talks about an oak tree also talks about mourning. I am an oak tree of righteousness planted by the Lord, for His glory. My roots are firmly established in Him and continually seek to grow deeper. Though I am weathered by life’s storms and droughts, I continue to grow in strength and endurance. The Lord is my gardener (John 15) who cuts and prunes my branches so that I might bear good fruit. Though I mourn what I leave behind, I am glad because the Lord has given me a deep love for my community at home and for my future community in SE Asia. Though I am faint in spirit, I praise God for He is glorified in all things and He surely will be glorified in this.