As a rule, I drive past this tree twice a day on my way to and from work. Usually don’t even notice it. Just an pin oak full of dead leaves.
Yet it’s now the end of January, in the heart of winter, long after those of us in West Michigan have finished our fall clean up of leaves.
But this oak tree just won’t give up its leaves. Bitter cold temperatures together with storms and strong winds haven’t shaken them off.
If the pattern of past years hold true, this tree along with the rest of its family won’t drop their leaves until pushed from their branches by the new life of Spring.
Seems to me that, without even being aware of it,this tree exists to sing harmony with the ways and words of its Creator.
My thoughts go back to the prophet Isaiah who calls upon the trees to join all nature in singing and clapping their hands in the presence of the One who, alone, can give new life to what He has created and redeemed (Isa 44:23) (Isa 55:12).
Could that also be what is happening when we focus on the “oughts” and “shoulds” and “musts” of moral laws and commandments that expose the lingering “deadness” of our human nature? Does that have anything to do with why the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2Cor 3:6)… (2Cor 3:7-8); (2Cor 3:17-18)
PS after writing this I stopped by Wonder of Creation and found the Jan 25 thoughts of Dean Ohlman taking the music of nature far beyond what I’ve done here. In “The Vision of Narnia” he hears an inexpressible symphony and chorus. Since I’m meeting him for coffee in a bit, am going to ask him more about that oak full of dead leaves.
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