Sorry!! Last week, for the first time since beginning this
blog, I did not post anything. The reason for that was for the last two years I
have been working on a book about my spiritual journey, and I was tied up doing
a final edit before sending it out to potential publishers. I was ‘in the zone’
and did not want to shift my focus. I hope and trust that in due course the
manuscript will be published.
In the next few posts I will look at how tree life is a
metaphor for Christian spirituality. It is said of metaphors that they both reveal
but also conceal. If I conform to the metaphor too rigidly it can obscure
certain important realities; so I will hold it lightly.
When Jesus began his public ministry he identified with the beginning
part of Isaiah 61 as being an expression of his earthly ministry (Luke 4:14-21).
It begins with, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord
has appointed me to bring good news to the poor.” It carries on describing what
this ministry to the people he came to would look like, and in v 3 it
articulates the result of his ministry: “For the Lord has planted them like
strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” This is a profound image of what
Christian spirituality is about- displaying the Image of God we are created to
be, to the glory of God.
With regard to this image we can look at the difference
between on the one hand theology, doctrine and what generally happens in
church; and on the other the pursuit of spirituality. The first has to do with
formulating right belief and right behaviour and how that is lived out. There
is a focus on evangelism; practising religious rituals; living according to a
moral code; worshiping and serving God; and developing faith in God. It can be
likened to forestry- the planting of new trees; encouraging their development
and growth; facilitating them bearing fruit; and orderly forest management. It has to do with what is outwardly manifested
and therefore manageable. It is visible and tangible. In contrast spirituality
focusses on what is invisible- the inner reality that each of us has to deal
with. It works with that which is hidden deep within us, at the core of our
being.
Looking at a single tree from the first perspective given
above it has to do with the outward appearance of the tree and what is clearly
visible- its form, size, health and fruitfulness. One sees the trunk, branches,
leaves and fruit. The life of the tree is assessed and judged on these
attributes. On the other hand spirituality focusses on the hidden, invisible aspects
of the tree. It strips away the bark to reveal the timber which gives the tree
its unique character. Every type of timber has its own characteristics; and
each tree has a unique manifestation of these characteristics.
Christian spirituality addresses how each tree has been
formed. Its formation has been influenced by many different factors such as the
type of soil it has grown in; the amount of water it has received; the
prevailing climate the tree is in etc. The health and wellbeing of the tree is impacted
upon by these factors. Spirituality works towards rectifying unhealthy
influences that have negatively impacted upon the ability of the tree to
display the true character it was meant to, to the glory of its creator.
Questions for reflection:
*What type of tree are you?
*How are you manifesting the image of God within you?
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