Graduation Reflection

In the mountains of California lives the oldest living organism known to man- The Bristlecone pine, also known as the Methuselah Tree. These trees are roughly 4600 years old. Before railroads, before pyramids, before the Roman empire, there were Methuselah trees.

On a day like today, as we prepare our hearts for a celebration of God’s grace tomorrow, as we prepare to receive that which we have worked years for, and as many of us transition into or back into ministry in new and profound ways, I think there are three quick lessons we can find in the Methuselah tree to help us along the way.

TAKE YOUR TIME- A Methuselah Tree grows no more than one inch per century- I know, you have dreams and visions, goals and ideas- so do I; and it seems like your time here has taken forever- but it hasnt in the scheme of eternity. Trust in the Lord and take your time; God will bring it through and to you. All of the things that your treasure in your heart today will be yes and amen, but they may not be yes and amen tomorrow, or next week, or next year. As the prophet Habakkuk heard from God-

: 

“Write the vision;

“Write the vision;

make it plain on tablets,

so he may run who reads it.

3  For still the vision awaits its appointed time;

it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

If it seems slow, wait for it;

it will surely come; it will not delay

STAY ROOTED- Methuselah trees only get 6inches of percp a year, and 60% of that is normally snow, there is only a 6 week growing period for these trees, and they grow in alkaline soil- so how do they compensate? They grow a large and deep network of roots to gather nutrition for everywhere they can.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), .

Find your roots, friends. Find roots in the Word of God, the person of God, and the people of God. In ministry it may feel like you too have challenging growth situations, that’s when God invites us to go deeper.

Or, as the prophet Jeremiah wrote to us:

English Standard Version Chapter 17

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.

8  He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Build resistance- Methuselah trees have thick bark that is dense and full of resin to keep out bugs and fungus.