Magnificent Gum Trees
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.”
1 Corinthians 12: 12-28 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms one body ….”
I love gum trees – magnificent gum trees. My kids say they are going to write on my headstone “died looking at a magnificent gum tree”.
Some gum trees are perfect and beautiful, with stunning colours on the bark that glow in the sun and moon light. Perfectly smooth bark on the strong, solid straight trunk, bright vivid green leaves full of the eucalyptus aroma, full of wildlife and just look magnificent.
Some gum trees look okay, but are bent, with a few dead limbs, and maybe don’t look quite perfect. Some trees are strong and tall, but have many bumps, dead wood and gnarly branches. Some trees are ugly, bent and look flimsy and weak. Some are just dead trunks, fallen over, full of holes and look useless.
We are just like the trees.
Some people look so perfect, are popular, seem to have it all together and are so gifted and good at everything they do. Some people look good on the outside, but don’t quiet have it all together in the inside. Some people do ok in life, but lack confidence, feel weak, struggle and have to work hard in life to survive. Some of us, well, we just feel like we missed out on all the gifts, sometimes feel useless and just do the best we can.
However, God created ALL of us in His image, and He has a plan for all of us, regardless of our gifts. We are all valued children of God. We are all one body with different gifts, and we are all unique.
The dead, useless looking tree in fact provides great shelter and food for many of God’s creatures. And the gnarly bumpy trees, the weak and flimsy trees also provide shelter and food and are uniquely made.
We, like the trees, are unique, and created by God, valued and loved by God. Seemingly perfect or blemished we are all treasured and have a unique purpose and are part of God’s great plan.
Tina Pfeiffer
