The Worn-Out Tree And the Worn- Out Me

As I strolled on the beach early that June morning, I discovered a well-worn remnant of a tree. No leaves, nothing green, just the bare trunk and worn limbs. I assume the wind and water had given it a beating until nothing was left but the trunk.

Fort Caswell Conference Center, Caswell - NC

June, 2023

My mind travels from the worn-out tree to the worn-out me! Seriously. Do you feel weary and worn? Do you feel life has tossed you around? Sometimes, I do!

But here is what I know: .

When the winds blow and the storms of life surround you, God is still good.

He is good in the good and bad. I John 1:9 tells us there is no one who is good, except God alone. God's character is one of goodness. He is true and right. He is Holy. He is good even in the bad.

I love this explanation from Heather Riggleman,

According to Merriam Webster, the definition of “God" is “the being in perfect power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.” To say that God is good means God always acts in a way that is true, noble, right, and good. Goodness is a part of His nature and He cannot contradict His nature. Righteousness and holiness are a part of His nature too. He cannot do anything that is unholy or unrighteous. 

Because God is good all the time, I can take refuge in Him. "I can taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one that takes refuge in him." (Psalm 34:8)

What I am learning is that when I trust Him and His goodness in all things, it is then that I am at rest. When I let go of trying to control and just 'be,' I trust Him more. My relationship with my Abba Father is meaningful and life giving. In these storms of life my prayer life and my relationship with Him grows. Bottomline is I want the storms because I want more of Him.

I want the storms because I want more of Him.

Just to be clear, I am not praying for storms in my life. HAHA But I am praying to know Him deeply.

Friend, I do not know what storm you are facing today, but perhaps, you feel like a tree that has been worn by the storms of life. If so, remember, "Lord is good, His mercy endures forever, His faithfulness continues to all generations." (Psalm 100:5) There is beauty in the worn and weary if it brings us deeper to our God. Rest, for when the winds blow and the storms come, God is still good.

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).