I Am Not A Tree

“If you don’t like where you are, MOVE. You are not a tree.”

-Jim Rohn

This quote has always spoke to me. Travel is something that intrigues so many, driving them to start something new, see something new, experience something new. At this point in my life, in my late 20’s, many of my friends are going through what you might call a quarter-life-crisis, not being happy where they are, not liking their job or living situation.

For me, I couldn’t wait to get out of the suburbs of Chicago when I was 18 and experience…Kirksville, Missouri. Though some might go somewhere more exciting for college, I loved K-Vegas and its many oddities. My time there opened many opportunities to go to Bulgaria and Texas for my summers and various other states during the school year for forensics (not the CSI kind, the speech kind). I continued my travels and went to Texas for a few years in grad school. After all of that, It was time for me to pack up my life and move back to the place I called home: Wheaton, Illinois. I felt like that is where I was meant to be and was excited to grow my roots there. When I started this blog I was dead set on staying in the Chicagoland area, only working at a church, only working in student ministry. I got my wish…well…kind of. A year later, I find myself questioning “what’s next?” when I stumbled upon this quote.

I spent my time right out of seminary discouraged because my search was so focused on one place to a specific group of people and seemingly getting nowhere. Being the stubborn person I am, I refused to look anywhere else. This time around, though I came here to deepen my roots, I realize that despite my desire, I am not a tree. I have the chance of going anywhere, and so many places that are willing to open conversations for work. This support has helped me realize how much I’ve limited myself in the past. With that being said, I do not regret any of my experiences. On the contrary, it is those who I have met in all of these moments that have loved and lifted me up during this new time of transition. It’s also helped me see that the world is a lot smaller than I once thought it was and deepening roots in one place doesn’t mean I can’t grow somewhere else as well.

Though I still am just as stubborn as ever, I believe that Christ has, is, and will continue to take me on insane adventures and I’m excited to say I no longer want to be limited to one place. Who knows, maybe I will end up staying here and thrive…or maybe I end up in California or Tennessee.

Regardless, I know I will not be alone wherever I go.

I find it funny how often we (mainly talking to myself, here) refer to ourselves as trees. When we talk about wanting to settle down, we say we want to lay roots. When we talk about having intimate connections with one another, we say we are growing deeper. When we talk about taking a risk, we say we are going out on a limb. We see this when Moses gave his blessing of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land without him.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” –Deut. 31:6

I don’t know about you all but I think trees are some of the most interesting expressions of time. In the spring, they bloom fresh with new life. The green of the leaves are so bright, and the scent of fresh leaves and birds chipping, it brings new life to my soul. In the summer, the fullness of the branches, stable for climbing provide a haven from the sun, but dances in its glory in the light. The winter, though the leaves my be gone, the boughs collect with snow and ice making little sculptures for us to see, and shelter down below for others of God’s creation. It is in the fall, though, where I see the most beauty. The leaves go from their typical vibrant green, to red, orange, yellow, purple, pink. They fall from branches like confetti and when you walk along paths surrounded by them, its like they are celebrating just for you. Ironically, this beauty that we witness is the tree is entering into a new phase, probably the most painful phase of loss, brokenness, shedding. But, the tree does not die fully, but transforms into a different way of living, until the next time of transition comes and it adapts, just like when Moses announces that he will not be crossing into the Promised Land with his people, but a new leader will be guiding them. Regardless of where we go, the Lord is with us. 

Do you find yourself falling into the temptation of the mindset of death when you enter into change? How can you find a new way to see life when things seem bleak? What has Christ taught you during these times in your life?