Surviving the Storm

“The trees with leaves and fruit are the most likely to fall over in saturated soil.” As I watched the Weather Channel’s interesting graphic on why trees fall in heavy storms, I thought “that’ll preach!”

For some time I have noticed dead trees seem to maintain their stature while trees with obvious life fall over. I kept thinking, “there is a principal at work here, but I just don’t know what it is.”

Then the Weather Channel gave me an excellent illustration. When the ground is saturated, roots lose their hold. Typically, trees have shallow roots sufficient for normal periods. When unusual water soaks in, the roots lose their control trees topple. And when the branches are heavy with leaves and fruit, the downward pull is even stronger. The lack of pressure on the dead trees allows them to survive.

No, that isn’t where I stopped. Interesting as that may be, it really doesn’t preach, does it? So, here goes.

When I look around and consider leaders I often think of them as giant oak trees. I see broad leaves, and if they are fruit trees, I comment on their vast harvest. They are heavy with fruitful ministries, successful businesses, flourishing families, and verdant lives. Then I see them fall. How can that be? They look like the healthiest of all.

What we don’t see is the impact of life’s storms, temptations, and failings which saturate the root system. We don’t see that too often they fall under the very abundance that we admire. Their foundation is loosened as the waters rise. They maintain their green appearance until the final storm pulls them down.

Let’s pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for those who look so strong, so good, so attractive. May their roots go deep. May they be rooted in the Word of God with our encouragement.

And then let’s focus on our own “leafiness” knowing sometimes our greatest successes can be the greatest hindrances in our battle to overcome the storms.