The poor tree.  It’s spent a lot of years with this tire wrapped around its trunk.  You know that’s bound to have been a problem.  Yet, even with this tire in a position to restrain the tree, the tree has continued to grow.

I’m betting that years ago the tire didn’t even bother the tree.  As the tree grew thicker in circumference the tire started making its presence known.  If I were that tree, I’d be complaining……….. and so would you.   “How come I’m the only one with a tire wrapped around me. Lord, it’s not fair!”  Or the classic, “Well, if things weren’t like they are, I could be doing so much more.” Or how about this one. “Hey, have you noticed I have a tire wrapped around me?  Let me tell you about it.”(Or let me tell you about any and every problem that is in my life.  How much time have ya got?)

Poor, poor, pitiful me. I guess that’s just part of being human on this spiritual journey.  We focus on the bad, the problems, the headaches, the uncontrollable events in our lives.  We focus on the “tires” that surround us.  NOT THIS TREE!!!

This tree has taught me (and now you), a lesson.  A lesson in life.  A lesson in endurance and perseverance.  The lesson?  Keep on keeping on.

Instead of focusing on the tire, the tree focused on growing.  And grow it HAS!!  Down here in the South we would say that this is a “big ole” tree. It slowly but surely………….. (maybe I should say it patiently and steadily) grew.  The tire actually has not stopped the tree from growing. I’ve seen barbed wire wrapped around a tree that would eventually kill it.  Why?  Because the wire grew INTO the tree.  But this tree continued to patiently grow.  As it has grown, it has continued to swell inside of the tire.  The tree is in the tire, but not of the tire.

The tree is not so “poor” after all.  It has grown over time, in such a way that it is having an affect on its surroundings………… not letting the surroundings and situations affect it.  This is a strong and powerful tree.  I want to be like that!!

The lessons I’ve learned from this tree.  Have patience.  Keep going by growing.  Don’t focus and worry about what’s surrounding you.  Spend time and energy on what you let grow inside of you.  It’s more about your attitude than the “tire”.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher