This post is all about Christian lessons from Aspen trees
The first time I heard about the Aspen tree, I was amazed. This tree piqued my interest so much that I started watching documentaries that further wowed me.
Why?
The aspen tree is a beautiful representation of how to live our lives according to God’s plan. Not only is it resilient in the face of fires and other disasters, but it also carries within its physical characteristics lessons that can help us find our tribe and live out our God-given purpose.
In this post, I will explore five ways the aspen tree aligns with finding your tribe and living your God-given purpose.
Ready? Let’s go…
What does the Aspen tree look like?
Okay, since my blog isn’t National Geographic (LOL), I will list only ten important features of the Aspen tree. These features will be relevant in the next section, which is the “lessons.”
If you want a deep-dive read, please visit the U.S. Forest Service for their post! Credit goes to them for my compiled and condensed list:
- Aspen trees are deciduous, medium-sized trees that can grow up to approximately 20-80 feet tall and 3-18 inches in diameter at their base.
- They typically have smooth, gray bark with white or yellowish spots, but some varieties may also have reddish bark.
- Quaking aspens are native to western North American mountain regions, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada down to the U.S. Rocky Mountains and California.
- Aspen trees have an interconnected root system, with a single connected root system spanning more than 100 acres!🤯
- Aspen trees have a remarkable regenerative ability, allowing them to reproduce from small shoots that grow from the parent tree’s massive root system.
- Quaking aspens are also known as the liveliest tree because their leaves quiver and tremble in even a light breeze, making them easy to spot in a forest.
- Old aspen trees provide food and shelter to many animals, including deer, elk, moose, and bears.
- Aspens are resilient pioneer species that can survive fires and colonize burned areas.
- After the bark is peeled away from old aspen trees, the wood is light in color and often used in furniture-making.
- Aspen trees can live for up to 150 years and thrive in various climatic conditions.
5 Christian lessons from Aspen Trees
Here are the five lessons! I’ve kind of echoed and woven some physical characteristics to explain my thought process better!
1. Regenerate
Aspen trees have the fantastic ability to regenerate, even after a fire has swept through an area.
This is a perfect metaphor for living your God-given purpose because it requires resilience in order to overcome any obstacles that come our way and persist despite the odds. Just like aspens, we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how hard things get.
2. Be sensitive and alive
When light wind passes through the floating, trembling foliage, it creates a subtle and beautiful noise like a tinkling wind chime or a light rustle. In essence, the aspen “quakes” when touched or moved.
The lessons are two-fold in this section:
- The Aspen tree teaches us that it is okay to tremble and quake as we go through life; this means that we are alive and growing.
- Just as the quaking itself is an outward sign that something has affected its core, so too is the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gently guides us toward fulfilling our God-given purpose. The Apostle Paul said, “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). This passage speaks to the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and allowing its presence to be felt in our hearts. Our purpose is to be fully committed to being open and receptive to the quaking of the Holy Spirit so that we can respond with obedience when it moves us.
3. Persistence and perseverance
As I keep reiterating (don’t get tired y’all!)…The quaking aspen is quite the resilient pioneer species that can persist fires and colonize burned areas.
Like the aspen tree, we can be resilient/persistent and use our gifts to help others in difficult times. Similarly, when we find our tribe and live out our God-given purpose, we can be a light for those around us no matter what situation we face.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
4. Sharing, supporting, and building each other
Aspen trees have an interconnected network of roots that allows them to share resources and survive in harsh conditions.
Similarly, when we find our tribe, we can share our gifts with each other and help each other grow in our faith.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”
5. Adapt and learn to thrive in any environment
Aspen trees can adapt and thrive in different climates, making them very versatile and resilient.
This for sure teaches us that we must also be able to adapt and learn to thrive in any environment. By finding our tribe and living out our God-given purpose, we can be like the aspen tree and use our resilience and adaptability to make a difference in this world.
However, remember that adapting doesn’t mean we should conform to the world! Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Find your tribe- what the Bible says!
When I was around 12, my Ethiopian friend in Sunday School taught me a beautiful song that is actually a verse in Hebrew…Psalm 133:1. I also love singing this verse to my kids.
I will not attempt to type it in Hebrew, but here it is in English…
Psalm 133: 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
This verse describes this topic well because, as I discussed earlier,Aspen trees are known for their ability to find their tribe and community. As humans, it’s essential to have a sense of camaraderie with others who are on the same journey as we are in life. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who support us encourages us to continue striving toward our goals.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”; this highlights the importance of having supportive friends and family around us to help guide and push us in the right direction. The aspen trees are able to collaborate with each other while living out their God-given purpose, which is a lesson that all of us can learn from. We need to be surrounded by people who inspire us, empower us, and help motivate us in life. When we come together as one unit, our strength is multiplied, and nothing can stop what we are determined to accomplish.
Just like the aspen trees rely on their root systems for nutrients and energy, we need our support systems to provide us with the same. John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another”; this emphasizes how crucial it is for unity amongst the believers of Christ in order for the message of the gospel to spread far and wide.
And that’s it, folks, lessons from Aspen trees.
In conclusion, Aspen trees remind us of the need to find our tribe and community, so we can collaborate with others in living out our God-given purpose.
If you have a tribe, please treasure it! If you don’t have one, pray and ask God to send them your way!
Other “tree-rific”🌲posts by me LOL:
P.S I know this is totally off-topic, but this song has been on my mind ALL week:
Hugs,
