The tree gave its life

Hi again.

Remember the tree? 

The burning tree. 

Burning with passion. 

On fire with life.  From within. 

The strong tree.

Standing for something. 

Strong and distinctive.

I love that tree - will never forget it...

Know what I have been thinking about the tree? 

I have been thinking about when we drove back by there the next day -- after the fire - and then what we saw the day after that - and what I saw this morning when I drove by that field.

The next day - after the passion and the fire - after standing for years - strong and independent.

On that next day the tree was down on the ground in a heap of charred wood. 

Only the trunk left standing. 

And then the next day there was nothing - only a memory of where the tree stood. 

Oh, I remembered - I could walk you to the place where it stood - but it was not there anymore.  Only wind whispering across the frozen fields of February - whispering of the great tree - of its presence.  Gusting at times as if calling out to the tree - searching for its branches to whip thru, to dance around.  But the tree was not there.

To me tonight, i feel sad at the departing of the tree.  Sad that it no longer stands.  Sad that it isn't there to reign over the field.

But then when i think about it a little bit, i remember something.  Over its many years that tree sent out thousands and thousands of seeds - caught in the wind and floating to land on the edge of a field, to land in the depths of the forest, who knows...each one a bundle of the tree's life, filled with the tree's passion and energy.  A thousand saplings, all bearing the mark of the great tree - growing all over the Midwest.

Know what else?  If the tree had never blazed with passion, it might still be standing there - if the fire had not lit it from the inside out, it might still stand over the field.  But it would not have been that particular tree then - its life was linked to that fire - that flame...it would also have never quite caught my eye - would not have inspired me, would not have struck me so deeply.  Would not have moved all of us so much.  It would have just been a tree.

Know what else?  I would rather burn with passion than live safely.  Even if it means that my life will be risky and used up for something bigger than myself.  Even if it means that i risk feelings of brokenness that i could hide if i were someone different.  Even if it means that i risk deep feelings of insecurity as i learn to be real.  Even if i have to face my mistakes and shortcomings with an intensity that i would rather just avoid.  Even if i have to go into the depths of the pains of this life with friends and family that i would have been able to avoid if i had not been so violently ignited.  Even if i have to face exhaustion and weakness in myself that i had no idea could be so deep and yet i could still survive.  I would rather risk being ignited if it has the accompanying chance of my life making a difference in the world.  This is dangerous business - it will mean that i will not be like the rest of the world.  It will mean that i will not be nice, just loving.  It means that i will not be typical.  I will stand out - ready to be hurt, to be criticized, to be put down.  I will not be able to deny the difference between me and the people around me.

I would rather be the tree of fire.  Even if it hurts me.  I want to send a thousand saplings into the world - and more. 

Know what else?  The thing is, the power for this ignition never came from the tree really.  It was ignited by the lightening.  There was a power so much bigger than the tree itself.   The power for the seeds came from the sun and the rain and the nutrients in the soil.  It never really was the tree itself.  It was the power of an awesome God who provided the lightening and the rain and the sun and the soil and the roots. 

This is true for me too.  Inside me blazes a passion - sometimes the passion flickers and falters and the pain of this life threatens to drown it out - but it stays kindled and never is quenched.  My weaknesses and mistakes and faults threaten to drop a torrential rain on the flames, but it is not me who keeps the passion burning.  It is the God who supplied the tree.  He lives in me - He produces thousands of seeds in my life - scattering them far and wide and producing many who are marked by His Goodness and love.

This difference between us and the world around us is what we are all about at More than more.  We are sick and tired of the usual way of being a tree - buy more stuff - get more - get ahead - succeed more - and on and on it drones - the American idea of more.  NO!

We are determined to live a different way - regardless of the ups and downs of life - regardless of the burdens of life - regardless of how hard it is - regardless of our own mistakes and brokennesses - we will be different.  We will live for something More.  In our case it takes shape simply in forming healthy relationships, accepting and being accepted for who we are - serving and caring about the people around us and getting to know a fantastic God who loves nothing more than to make life full of passion.  Those who join us find that they laugh tons and spend a light and fun time with some crazy different people.

If this kind of life is sounding like something you are interested in, we would love to have you join us at More than more - we will be hanging out 645-800 pm on the 11th of December at McAllister Recreation Center - just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette.  As always there will be activities for all ages.  Hope to see you there.