Faith | Like a tree, we can sink our roots into a source of strength, stability and refreshment

For many years, the Cle Elum Ridge 50-kilometer trail run was an annual event for me and a few friends and family members on the second Saturday of September.

When it was clear and sunny, the views of 14,000-foot Mount Rainier were incredibly gorgeous. The trail run was tough and challenging too, but each year it became more familiar to me—sort of like a mean neighbor kid who liked to bully.

I ran the 31-mile race 11 times, and usually the temperatures were shivering cold at the 7 a.m. start. By the time we gained 6,000 feet of elevation to Windy Pass, however—at mile 15—it warmed up considerably.

But not on the fifth year. That was the year and the race when Windy Pass decided to show off its name and reputation.

On that day I ran alone, and the wind was howling and fierce. Reaching the ridgeline, the wind coming from the West seemed to pick up speed and force.

And then, the trees began to fall. All around me. Big, tall trees. Trees that had stood for decades.

For a moment, I wasn’t sure what to do. But then training kicked in and I kept pushing forward. A few times massive trees fell right in front of me—crashing, breaking, adding to the noise of the wind and blocking the trail before me.

I had to crawl under or over downed trees. And it wasn’t until I reached the bare knobs of Windy Pass before I could breathe a little easier. Thank God no runners were injured or killed that day.

Just recently, on another forest walk, the Holy Spirit spoke these words to my heart: “Trees, nations and humans fall for the same reason.”

Weak, damaged, and compromised roots, the very foundation of life, give way to fierce pressures and unrelenting forces that propel the fall. Small, seemingly innocuous insects will invade a tree, a nation, or a human soul, silently gnawing away at the very center and heart, until hollow places and decay weaken even the tallest and biggest and strongest across the landscape.

Malnutrition is an enemy of trees, nations and humans. When physical and spiritual nutrients are ignored or missing, it is always the unseen, underground, rot and decay in the root systems and core that weaken and destroy life.

Under normal circumstances, trees of a forest literally protect one another from destruction. In the same way, nations, churches, and families either stand together or they will fall together.

Reflecting on a lifelong love of trees, J. R. R. Tolkien once wrote: “Every tree has an enemy, few have an advocate. In all my works, I take the side of the trees against all their enemies.”

We have Someone who takes our side as well. We have an Advocate who stands beside us and makes us strong. We have the opportunity to sink our roots into his eternal Word—a never failing source of strength, stability and refreshment.

The Lord gave his prophet Jeremiah wise instruction to protect, guide and allow us to flourish as a forest, a nation and a people—even with divided government, a culture in tumult and dark skies on the horizon. In other words, the weakened and rejected roots of a malnourished nation in a great storm.

In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord told him:

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.”

(Jeremiah 17:7-8, NLT)

That’s quite a promise. Stability. Refreshment. And a life that truly makes a difference.

Even when the wild winds blow.

Rev. Micah Smith is president and founder of Global Gateway Network globalgatewaynetwork.org with offices in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.