- Nov 27, 2003
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Have you ever gone into the mountains high enough to see what is called a timber line? This is a certain height in elevation that varies according to local, in which the trees do not grow anymore. All except for a few isolated, or small groups of trees which survive in a little higher elevation. If you and I walk very close to JESUS, we will see some similarities between our lives, and trees that grow above the timber line. These trees are found sometimes clinging tenaciously to some rock cleft where the wind and elements of the weather lash unmercifully at the trees. Sometimes little clusters give mutual support to one another from the rain, sleet, hail, and bitter cold. But unlike men or animals, the trees cannot shift to protect themselves from the harsh elements that come against them. They usually are rooted in one spot and get tough or die. More often than not, these trees are not what we would call a "perfect specimen" of the forest. To the onlooker, they can be distorted, bent, unbalanced, broken, or blasted from the elements. Branches can be torn and twisted from trunk caused by the elements of life. And yet some stick up in bold defiance against the storms of life. They do not enjoy the shelter of the 10,000 other trees in the forest, where life is cush and less demanding. Instead, their life is one of living on the extreme edge of survival. Stress unequaled by their brothers and sisters of the forest.
These trees possess a unique beauty that can only be born of adversity. A beauty that comes only out of great agony and solitary suffering, as Our Lord JESUS. They reflect a strength by standing against the stresses of life that those of the forest neither see nor understand. In viewing these trees, we see a stirring example of the benefits of isolated adversity. These trees resemble rugged individuals, set apart from the common crowd.
Having to stand alone in some remote spot against the rage of storms. And like us, rugged strength is not developed in the soft security of our peers. You and I will meet few Christians that have withstood the isolation, hardships, and solitude of an extremely close walk with JESUS.
But what a beauty, what a thrilling encounter it is to meet up with a man or woman of God like this. Perhaps God has called some of you to this kind of life. How do you react to the storms of life? How do you react to the call of the Lord to step forward to a new position which will be one of loneliness and isolation? Will you accept isolation in exchange for a closer walk with JESUS?
There is an element to trees above the timber line that goes unnoticed by the casual observer. The type of wood produced in the lives of these trees is different than that of those in the forest. The extra stress and strain brought about by the adversity of the elements, produces an extra flow of resins in the tree. This resin gives the tree a stronger fiber, (lacking in our modern day Christians), and a very tight grained texture of wood. This enables it to stand alone. It also produces an exquisite fragrance that lower altitude trees cannot produce. But the wood, the very life of the tree, because of the extra resin, is more beautiful than any other wood. It is sought after by expert violin makers because of its beauty over the other woods in the forest and also because it has a musical resonance unequaled by that found in ordinary lumber. You see, the fury of the storms, the short growing season, the wrenching of the winds, the strain of isolated survival, are all factors combined to produce the toughest, choicest, most wonderful wood in the world. Is it possible that you've forgotten that you asked the Lord to make you into a "choice vessel."
Some of us will endure privation and personal isolation. Some may have agonizing separation from those in the forest. But of the beauty and richness that will come out of this type of life. It will last for all eternity. Don't fight the Lord if He has so chosen to plant you in an isolated spot. It will produce maturity, and bring blessings that others from the forest will not get to experience. For example; the joy of having God's grace and strength to endure cannot be shared with those in the forest.
And again the view is another blessing which is obscured by those stuck in the forest. You'll see the approaching storms sooner, (your brothers and sisters in the woods will think you're nuts), and you'll get glimpses of the Lord that the multitudes will never see. There will also be no crowding of others roots for the choice nutrients or refreshing streams of water.
If you are going to go very far in in your walk be assured that you will experience isolation. But only for a season. In Heaven we'll all sing, "I'll never be lonely again, never again." Don't let the dangers that encroach when isolation comes cause you to give up God's best for a second or third best. The dangers of self pity, discontentment, loss of love, or lose sight of the eternal, are things all of us face when we feel isolated and alone. God wants for all of us to have his best. But their is a price attached to it. Sometimes it's a life of isolation."
You can't be in a battle and NOT get shot at.
These trees possess a unique beauty that can only be born of adversity. A beauty that comes only out of great agony and solitary suffering, as Our Lord JESUS. They reflect a strength by standing against the stresses of life that those of the forest neither see nor understand. In viewing these trees, we see a stirring example of the benefits of isolated adversity. These trees resemble rugged individuals, set apart from the common crowd.
Having to stand alone in some remote spot against the rage of storms. And like us, rugged strength is not developed in the soft security of our peers. You and I will meet few Christians that have withstood the isolation, hardships, and solitude of an extremely close walk with JESUS.
But what a beauty, what a thrilling encounter it is to meet up with a man or woman of God like this. Perhaps God has called some of you to this kind of life. How do you react to the storms of life? How do you react to the call of the Lord to step forward to a new position which will be one of loneliness and isolation? Will you accept isolation in exchange for a closer walk with JESUS?
There is an element to trees above the timber line that goes unnoticed by the casual observer. The type of wood produced in the lives of these trees is different than that of those in the forest. The extra stress and strain brought about by the adversity of the elements, produces an extra flow of resins in the tree. This resin gives the tree a stronger fiber, (lacking in our modern day Christians), and a very tight grained texture of wood. This enables it to stand alone. It also produces an exquisite fragrance that lower altitude trees cannot produce. But the wood, the very life of the tree, because of the extra resin, is more beautiful than any other wood. It is sought after by expert violin makers because of its beauty over the other woods in the forest and also because it has a musical resonance unequaled by that found in ordinary lumber. You see, the fury of the storms, the short growing season, the wrenching of the winds, the strain of isolated survival, are all factors combined to produce the toughest, choicest, most wonderful wood in the world. Is it possible that you've forgotten that you asked the Lord to make you into a "choice vessel."
Some of us will endure privation and personal isolation. Some may have agonizing separation from those in the forest. But of the beauty and richness that will come out of this type of life. It will last for all eternity. Don't fight the Lord if He has so chosen to plant you in an isolated spot. It will produce maturity, and bring blessings that others from the forest will not get to experience. For example; the joy of having God's grace and strength to endure cannot be shared with those in the forest.
And again the view is another blessing which is obscured by those stuck in the forest. You'll see the approaching storms sooner, (your brothers and sisters in the woods will think you're nuts), and you'll get glimpses of the Lord that the multitudes will never see. There will also be no crowding of others roots for the choice nutrients or refreshing streams of water.
If you are going to go very far in in your walk be assured that you will experience isolation. But only for a season. In Heaven we'll all sing, "I'll never be lonely again, never again." Don't let the dangers that encroach when isolation comes cause you to give up God's best for a second or third best. The dangers of self pity, discontentment, loss of love, or lose sight of the eternal, are things all of us face when we feel isolated and alone. God wants for all of us to have his best. But their is a price attached to it. Sometimes it's a life of isolation."
You can't be in a battle and NOT get shot at.
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