This is a tree growing at our campsite. It took me a couple of days to notice it and then I became intrigued. When you look at the image, you will notice two trunks at the bottom but about halfway up you can see where the trees’ trunks become intertwined, and they start to grow as one.
The bigger, better nourished tree has been wrapped by the thinner, weaker trunk. The larger of the two is now supporting the weight of both trees. Look closely and you will see that they are two different species. This seems to be nature’s own engrafting.
Nature is such a great teacher.
There must have been a storm or wind that caused the two of them to grow in such a way. They were stronger together than separate.
Does that remind you of anything Biblical? Don’t most of us come to God when we’ve been through a storm. He’s there to provide us with shelter and strength.
Jesus told his disciples I am the vine, you are the branches, if you abide or stay connected to Me you will produce much fruit.
“Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me. 5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything.” John 15:4-5 ERV
This is a promise made to all of us. If we stay connected to Jesus, our life-giving vine, we will be productive and fruitful.
The other example that came to mind was Paul’s teaching on marriage. He took these words from God, the Father, in the Garden of Eden.
“In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. 29 None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are each part of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church.” Ephesians 5:28-32 CEV
And the two shall become one!
Jesus assumes the role of husband to those who place their trust in Him. He loves us, nurtures us, protects us as He does his own body. He leaves all other distractions and is totally committed to us.
What do we give Him in return? He asks for our love and devotion. God, who is love, desires our love and fellowship. Is that too much to ask?
As I sat and really studied these two trees my heart’s prayer became “Lord, let me so dependent upon You that it will be hard for people to see who I was before I leaned on You and You became my source of strength, my support, my all in all.
Two become one!