Then there’s the tree. Almost sounds dull after spouting off those memorable events that took place daily, huh? This tree that stands perfectly postured beyond the leftfield fence and has possibly never been noticed by anyone else. But I noticed it. I’ll never forget it. I regret not taking a picture of it. Day after day, my attention would be directed towards this tree because of its full and sound features. This tree is complete, its color is entirely blended testifying of its health, the branches are in well circumference and the overall appearance from afar is catching. I could go on and on about the attributes of the tree. Especially the shade that thing can produce.

Along with mesmerizing over its wholeness, I remember thinking to myself, “I only hope I can be like that tree.” Spiritually, I desire that. To be sheer and absolute. To be good and intact. To be undamaged, unbroken. I only hope.

As Christians, we have the opportunity to reach the heights of spirituality. Today is a new day and if the Lord wills, tomorrow will be, too. Therefore it is a new beginning. Or an opportunity to make addition to what has been reached. We will have our bodies and souls broken at times but our God is here to take care of that stuff. When a limb of the tree is broken, it gets past it. We must do the same.

We are obliged to achieve higher standards and invest our bodies for new growth and development. To know where you are rooted is important. What I mean is your surroundings. Are they healthy or unwholesome; productive or inefficient?

The Bible compares it to being “like a tree firmly planted by streams of water” (Psa. 1:3 ). It is healthy, vibrant, bearing its fruit and persistent through all weather due to firmly attached roots. Its depends on the stream of water that refreshes it continually.

“Long for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow” (1 Pet. 2:2). Through His word we receive augmentation. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). His word provides what we need to weather any storm. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). He is our source, our stream, and our life.

The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “there is a time for every event under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1 ). Spiritually, we are going to spend time in cold, sometimes freezing weather. We are going to live through fiery circumstances as well. It is all part of God’s perfect plan. We will feel at times thirsty and other times broken. It’s all part of increasing our spiritual stature.

Our brother James tells us to be joyful during trials, knowing that our faith is being tested to achieve perseverance (James 1:3). Your successful triumphs will then be illustrated for others to see your productivity, what God irrigated within you. We can make ourselves known amongst men when we personify godliness in our lives—when we portray His beautiful features, when we show our unbounded goodness, when we display our unique characteristics, thus becoming the perfect tree.