I had an interesting image come to mind as I was praying for our church one day. I envisioned the Menomonie United Methodist Church as a tree. Now, I don’t often pray in pictures, but I am a pretty visual learner so when God speaks to me in images it tends to stick with me. Consider with me for a moment this idea of how the church might be like a tree.
Maybe you can envision your favorite tree in your yard or a favorite tree you played in as a child. I have two favorite trees on the farm where I grew up and I still climb them sometimes when I am there on our home farm. Those trees were where I went to read, nestled on a branch with a good book. Those trees were where I went to rest and reflect and often to watch the sunset after chores were done. They were great for climbing or swinging on an old tire swing. Just as a great shade tree can be a place of rest and recreation for people in all ages and seasons of life, I think our church can be an inviting place of refuge for all people, a place that nurtures growth and fruitfulness for all who stop here.
This kind of tree imagery comes up several times in scripture too, but one of my favorites is in Jeremiah 17:7-8 which says, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
My hope is that each of us will commit to being like that tree, rooted deeply in God so we can be vibrantly alive spiritually, producing fruit that glorifies God and serves our community well!
Blessings,
Pastor Wendy
