Isabel came and went. Storms come and go, but what remains standing after the hurricane wind and rain swept gray skies turn quiet, clear and blue?
K.D. and I were visiting Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina while I was on a ministry sabbatical. This Southern plantation, rich in local history was also featured in the made-for-T.V. series, “The North and The South.” It was easy to see why, as we drove into the plantation down a wide tree-lined drive that looked like something out of “Gone With The Wind.”
On either side of the sandy drive were a total of around 16 very old Live Oak trees; their spreading limbs sending branches that overlapped like an arching canopy overhead. Each branch was covered with tree ferns, lichens and small plant life, and draped with yards of Spanish moss. We toured the plantation in an open wagon driven by “Bob” who gave us a thorough explanation of all the flora and fauna of the grounds as well as the history of the site.
What most captured my attention was when we stopped on the driveway on our return to “the Big House” to hear Bob’s comments about the Live Oaks standing stately before us: “Live Oaks, one of seven varieties, live a loooong time,” he began. “Some have been dated to be 1000 years old or more. It is not uncommon for a tree to be six to seven hundred years old. These you see before you survived hurricane Hugo back in ’89. They sustained some damage, but as you see they are still standing!”
When asked how they live so long and survive the storms, Bob’s answer intrigued me: “Two reasons primarily. First, their limbs spread out wide. Wide enough for the wind to blow right through them. Second, their root system goes very wide, as far as the branches, and then they intertwine with other surrounding Live Oak trees. They live in or form community which provides a foundation to withstand the storms.”
Although I was only days into a sabbatical to “pull away from ministry to press in to the Master,” I couldn’t help but think of the Church. Although we are to find refuge in our Lord, as followers of Christ we will not be without seasons when the storm winds blow. How can We survive the storms? Here are three insights from the oak trees:
Grow In
It should be noted that no-one survives apart from Jesus Christ. As He said, I am the vine; you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5). Grow in – Abide in – Him! Indeed, the Lord is the one who plants you and sustains you, in the first place. Your very life depends upon Him. However, he does not intend for you to independently stand alone. By abiding in Him you stand with Him. (Philippians 4:1)
Grow Out
Once rooted and growing, the Live Oaks spread their limbs out wide. We must grow with our arms wide open. At first glance, that seems to make us more vulnerable. However, keeping our arms safely to our side, pulling our branches in, as it were, and becoming ingrown, keeping things to ourselves, actually makes us a bigger target for Enemy winds that blow. You must allow your arms to extend outward to the Lord. Although you will likely sustain some damage (do you know any mature Christian who hasn’t?), the winds will blow through, but not overcome you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
Grow Together
Just as Live Oaks form and grow into community, so we must allow our roots to intertwine. This is not an easy process! It takes a lot of give and take as we occupy the same soil. Still, just as it is not the soil alone that keeps the oaks standing but the interlocking roots, so it is not the church alone that keeps us standing but the relationships within. We need each other when the storm winds blow. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
As K.D. and I rode back down the avenue of oaks, I looked more closely at these ancient wonders, with all the life their limbs bore. I couldn’t help but to appreciate what they had been through, the winds of war and the winds of time. They were still standing. Questions came to me – perhaps to you also:
- How strong am I?
- How deeply am I abiding in Christ?
- How much are my limbs open to the Lord?
- How interconnected are my roots of relationship in the Body of Christ?
Just as these Live Oaks brought a sense of splendor to the estate of Boone Hall Plantation, I began to wonder what role each of us, as Live Christians, could play in the splendor of the Kingdom Of God?
—RWO/MAST
Comments by Ric Ochsner