I never gave very much thought to bent or crooked or twisted trees until just recently. Although I can't remember any other specifics of our pastor's sermon from several weeks ago (sorry, Bro. Kelly), I do remember the part about the trees that became trail markers to Native American tribes. Evidently these trees were manipulated and conformed as young saplings to a similar shape such as in this picture. As the tree grew, it would point to landmarks such as a water supply, best areas to hunt, burial grounds, or tribal council meeting places. Early GPS, you might say.
As a child, I would see trees such as this and imagine what a wonderful horse it would make for my cousins and me as we played cowboys and Indians. No Barbies for me, or at least not until the winter months when playing outside was too cold for my comfort.
So ever since the sermon that I can't remember, I have paid special attention to tree shapes as My Stanley and I would make our frequent day trips. I found myself wondering what in the world would an Indian want to designate around this part of the country; we don't even have a Wal-Mart. But as much as I dislike having to research most things, I did find a little Wikipedia information that shed some light on these trail markers / horses. Only a very few of the crooked trees are authentic Indian trail makers. "The large majority of these (non-straight) trees were caused by deformities made by a large tree falling on a sapling, pinning it down for a sufficient length of time to establish a permanent bend. Lightning may split a trunk, causing a portion to fall or lean in such a way as to resemble an Indian marker. Wind, sleet, snow, or animal attacks may cause accidental deformities. However, such injuries leave scars which are apparent to the careful observer, and these may serve in distinguishing such trees from Indian trail markers." Interesting.
So My Stanley and I were discussing this on the way to church yesterday (nope, I can't let it go) and he said something about the unfortunate circumstances of some trees that caused me to have one of those "ah ha" moments. He mentioned that some trees get bent from other trees (just like Wikipedia stated), but that THE SUN WOULD USUALLY STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT. Yes! Why didn't I think of that! An inside plant can be almost dead, but set it on the back porch for just a day and the sun will straighten it out. It will stand tall. It will thrive. It can now be what it was intended to be.
Like a damaged tree, the SON can straighten our bent and twisted and misshapen lives. It makes me so very sad to think back on all the things I've done to cause my own life to be bent and twisted. And like the damaged tree that was mistaken for an authentic Indian trail marker, how many times did I point someone in the wrong direction because of the example I was setting? Oh how I wish I could go back and undo so many of the wrongs and hurts I've caused. But as Christians, we need to know this one thing: The SON is ready and waiting to give us a "do over" if we'll only ask. You don't believe this? Just read up about David, who was called a man after God's own heart. God himself called David that! David committed adultry with Bathsheba, resulting in a baby from that relationship; the baby died; David also arranged for the death of Bathsheba's husband. But the Bible tells us that David repented and God still loved him; he was still a man after God's own heart. Yes, there were consequences, as there will always be when we point others away from The Son, but there is also forgiveness and redemption.
Do we have scars that are apparent to the careful observer that distinguish us from being authentic? This is what Wikipedia said of the non-authentic trail markers. Let's not try to be something we're not. Let's be the real deal.
Let's get ourselves out of the shadows into the SON-light. Let's let the healing begin. Let's grow straight as we take our direction from God's Word. Let's point others to Christ. Let's be authentic. LET'S BE WHAT WE WERE MEANT TO BE!!
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30