Interestingly, the Bible refers to trees a lot. There are trees in the beginning (Genesis) and there is a tree in the end (Revelation), whose leaves are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

There are even references of men as trees.

They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. (Numbers 24:6 – NLT)

There is the story told of a blind man who met Jesus. When Jesus first touched him, he saw men walking like trees. We assume his sight was not fully restored, but never gave consideration that his eyes were open to see from another dimension.

My favourite: To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:3 – NLT).

What if we are trees planted on the earth in a spiritual sense? They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1:3 – NLT)

How deep are your roots? From where do you draw sustenance? What is your source? Are we attractive to the world? Can they feed on our fruits and leave being restored and healed? Can those we encounter experience the life that flows through us?

We are planted where we are for a reason. Oaks of righteousness are scattered all over the world. Our greatest ministry is not within the four walls of the church; it is literally everywhere else, in every place where we are planted.

We may not be comfortable where we are; we may want to escape at the first opportunity that presents itself; we may pray for Friday to come quickly where we are planted; we may want to be transferred to another location, but God planted you there for a reason.

People feed on us everyday. Our lives bring healing by virtue of who we are in God, and we don’t even know it.

Some people who touch us, or cross our paths should have died, but the life that flowed from you and into them changed that, and you don’t even know it.

Life is flowing from you everyday into the world around you.

If your greatest ambition and goal is about you; what you get from life, what you achieve in life, how much possessions you acquire in life, then you are not thinking big enough; you are not thinking God-thoughts.

There is no tree that eats its own fruit.