If you’ve read my blogs, you’ll know I have a deep fascination with trees. This fascination is not just academic, it’s personal. It’s rooted in the verses in the Bible that use trees as a metaphor for us. In Psalms 1 and Jeremiah 17, we’re described as trees with deep roots when we trust in the Lord. The New Testament sees us as fruit-bearing trees, and the book of Isaiah calls us “Oaks of Righteousness, a display of God’s splendor.” The list goes on, but the point is, my fascination with trees is spiritual.
This time of year, I sit on my porch and admire the beautiful colors starting to emerge. My large gumball tree looks especially stunning in the fall (which is one of its saving graces). However, I recently noticed something concerning. There is a section of branches that appears to be dead and covered in cobwebs, resembling something from a horror movie. When my husband saw it, he mentioned that the tree likely has bagworms, and if not addressed, they could potentially kill my majestic tree.
Bagworms are a nightmare. They cling to tree branches and, like any parasite, suck the life out of the host. The problem is they’re often hidden because they blend in so well. But wow, are they destructive! They wiped out some of my evergreen trees at the agency in record time! I can’t overstate the havoc bagworms can wreak.
This morning, I was thinking about the affliction of my beautiful tree, and I realized that as believers, we develop our own types of bagworms. These little, innocuous-looking habits take up our time and occupy our minds, diverting our focus from Jesus. If we’re not careful, these bagworms can also infect our hearts.
I have identified my bagworms as my phone, TV, social media scrolling, shopping, food, and sometimes, feelings of offense and anger. These insidious distractions are parasitical and consume my time and attention, diverting me from what truly matters most, which is Jesus. The most troubling aspect is that not only is this harmful to me, but it also affects those who need to see Christ in me. There are days when I may be the hope they need to see, and if I’m preoccupied with things that don’t matter, I have nothing to offer.
Sadly, even the healthiest ‘Oak of Righteousness’ can be infiltrated by these subtle, life-sapping habits. This could be why our leaders, who we often look up to, sometimes give in to temptation and fall victim to the enemy. It’s also why Jesus advises us to undergo regular pruning. If we can understand that the removal of these deadly habits we often cherish is for our own good, we won’t be so daunted by the idea. Perhaps if we willingly yield these areas to Him now, the pruning process won’t be as painful.
Here is what Jesus has to say: “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” This is a call to action, a reminder of the need for pruning in our lives. And it tells me that remaining in my phone, or other bagworm habits, is indicative that I need a pruning! Folks, this dark world needs the light that we carry. So, let’s not just accept, but embrace this pruning, for it is the key to our spiritual growth and the light we bring to the world!
One response
This is so true, Cris. All these bag worms take time and when coupled with the necessary things of life, uses up all our time, and look who gets left out? A wonderful analogy and reminder.
There’s that surrender part again that’s so important and up to us.