Lessons From a Lodgepole
Archive Post (September 2020)
This weekend we took a quick trip to the mountains to recharge before jumping into school. We happened to hit Leadville right at peak season for Colorado fall, and were blessed with yellow Aspens everywhere we went. While hiking a randomly discovered trail, we came across a sign with information about trees in the area. My wonderfully inquisitive husband did something I would never consider (except maybe as an excuse to catch my breath): he stopped and read the whole sign. I'm so glad he did! We were surprised and reassured by the lesson it held for this time in our world.
The Lodgepole Pine was nowhere near the prettiest tree we saw on our adventure, but we learned it may just be the most adaptable. These trees tend to be the first to grow in an area after a major disruption such as a fire. The sign we read explained Lodgepoles have actually learned to depend on the fires which burn in these forests every 100-300 years. The trees have special pinecones called serotinous cones which can only release seeds when exposed to high temperatures. Additionally, these trees rely on full sunlight conditions to thrive. This perfect environment just so happens to occur after a fire has burned an area and left a clearing. Lodgepole pines don't just tolerate fires; they depend on fires to spark a new season of fruitfulness.
In so many ways 2020 has felt like a fire outside of anyone's control. Andrew and I have found ourselves discouraged many times by the news and by setbacks in our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. A lot of pain and brokenness have been brought to the surface of our world, and many things we once relied upon as sureties have burned away. Yet, as the people of God, we remain hopeful. We trust this time of hardship and refining will not be wasted. We don't know when or how the winds are going to settle, but we can't wait to see all the sunlight which will enter through this new clearing. We are expectant for our own training and ministry, as well as the work God is doing in each of your lives. As Christians we are called to be like the Lodgepoles, emerging first from a season of devastation and testifying to the goodness of the fertile soil and light which have been brought forth. Like Joseph in the midst of his story's redemption (Genesis 50:20), we look forward to the day when we finally see how God meant to bring good from this all along.
This next season will not be an easy one. The fire has burned, much has been lost. Now the pinecone seeds will have a chance to grow deep roots into the soil. As we head into this season, there will be a lot of work to make sure those seeds stay rooted. Andrew will continue to lead the Housekeeping Department, where he will have 27 students working with him throughout the week cleaning and maintaining the campus. He will also continue to lead the Adventure Focus in the Discipleship Training School. Please hold us in prayer that God would lead us in our relationship through this season, and that we would not waste the opportunity for us to grow our roots deep as well.