The Dance

My neighbor has several large trees in her yard: a pear tree, a pecan tree, a Chinese tallow tree (that is invasive and unwelcome), a magnolia tree, a pine tree or two, and various smallish mystery trees and shrubs. Nice yard.

A thunderstorm this morning revealed something about the move of Your Spirit, Lord. All the trees and bushes benefitted from the refreshing soaking of the thunderstorm. I saw limbs swaying and bending with the wind. But not all of them. Neither the lowest branches of the trees nor the short shrubs moved very much. It was only those tallest boughs which had the height and flexibility to catch the wind and dance with it.

The lower branches were too set in their ways. They were strong and stable and healthy and impressive, but there was no dance in them. They supported the smaller branches, but there was no dance in them. And they sat lower, amidst the structures and barriers and boundaries of this world, amidst the cares for worldly things that keep the wind from swooping down, stirring them, and mounting them up into the flow of the Holy Spirit.

All parts of the trees were healthy, but those upper branches had the real fun. Yes, it’s more risky up there, but oh the wonder of catching the wind of Your Spirit, Lord, and moving with it.

I know the tree is a whole. The roots dig deep so that it can grow tall. The trunk is solid and armored so that foes do not threaten it. But oh those upper branches that reach high into the heavenlies and search for the move of Your Spirit. They reach up to You with their hands, and the slightest wisp of wind thrills them into praise. Make me, Lord, like one of those!

Psalm 143:6  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.