Tip of My Iceberg

Spanish moss hangs from our beautiful tree, bearding it like an old man, making it appear wise and gracious with age.

I don’t like the moss. It doesn’t really kill the tree, or so I’m told. It’s not parasitic but an epiphyte that absorbs nutrients and water through its own leaves. It may slow down growth because of its thickness, but it’s not a deadly plant.

Right.

I love this tree. It’s been standing through a multitude of hurricanes and storms since we moved into our home. It makes me think of resilience and strength, of power and growth.

It also makes me think of Treebeard, an Ent from “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy”. These were walking, talking trees who were ancient shepherds of the forests. They were also allies of the free peoples of Middle-earth during the time of the Third Age, marked by the rise of the evil Sauron who longed for the return of his one ring of power.

Treebeard was the oldest living creature in Middle-earth. He was concerned with all the evil that was being wrought on his home. His concern was for all he loved and cared for. Treebeard noticed how the world was changing and how the changes were affecting life the way he knew it.

“The world is changing; I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. Some of my kin look just like trees now, and need something great to rouse them; and they speak only in whispers.” Life as he knew it was fading away, changed by the selfish desires of others,

Our world is changing. People recognize it in the way divisiveness and anger are tearing up our country. They see it in the way people are hurting other people. In the fear that many have about things they have no control over. People need to be aroused from their complacency and self-centeredness.

There is goodness out there. People who care for others, who do the next right thing. There are those who choose to do unselfish acts of kindness for others, who don’t expect to be paid back for their goodness but do it out of genuine compassion.

God is good. This world, however, is broken. God offers hope in a world that’s changing, love in places where there’s hate and horror, forgiveness where there’s guilt and shame. God alone can change what is broken and make it whole and new. He sent Jesus to take the burden of our wrongs. He’s the Great Shepherd.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep….I am the Good Shepherd; I know My own sheep, and they know Me, just as my Father knows Me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep.” John 10:11, 14-15

As Treebeard was the shepherd for his people, so Jesus is the One who cares for and leads us with love and gentleness. In a world full of selfishness and arrogance, having Someone choosing to love us is a gift,.

Our tree in back looks old and wise, standing like a shepherd in the yard, watching over the wildlife, being a sanctuary for the many birds that live around us, offering shade for all who need it.

I know how much I need a Shepherd to be with me, guide me, love and care for me.

Wouldn’t it be freeing to know Someone kind and gracious was choosing to care for you?