Do you have a symbol that resonates with you?
Something that has special meaning for you?
Maybe it’s a family symbol, or something that has helped you through a tough time.
My Dad loved sunsets. He loved to photograph them. I don’t really know if there was ever a meaning behind it for him, or if he just appreciated the beauty of it. I love sunsets because they remind me of him and also of the beauty in the world.
I know others who have gotten tattoos of their symbols and it gives them strength.
For me, the tree has been something that has been very symbolic for me as I’ve gotten older. I’ve always been a pretty strong person. I’m responsible, difficult to ruffle, and my roots are strong. Those things are characteristic of a healthy tree.
It made sense to me why this symbol resonated with me. However, a few years ago, I started to get discouraged by being the tree.
Why do I always have to be the strong one?
I felt like people were constantly climbing on me, and sometimes it just got overwhelming.
Then, I heard a teaching by Jeanne Stevens that really hit home with me. She was talking about the story of Zaccheus. I’ve heard the story a million times, but she said something unique that felt like it was directly for me.
Sometimes, you have to be a tree, so that other people can climb up on you to see Jesus. (Tweet that!)
That really changed my perspective. It was like a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it feels like we can get walked on and climbed on and taken advantage of. But when we reframe that and see that people need us to help them see Jesus, that changes everything.
Do you have a symbol? I’d love to hear about it.
