Ancient of Days

Yesterday, I took this photograph of a beautiful tree in Piney Z Lake in Tallahassee, FL. This tree stood out in the middle of this lake. This tree and its qualities reminded me of the qualities of God. Obviously, it is only a tree, but God has left His mark on it, like He has done with all of Creation.

Its solitude in the middle of the lake reminded me of God’s uniqueness.

The trunk of the tree standing firm in the middle of the lake reminded me of God’s steadfast and unchanging character.

The gnarled trunk, the weathered limbs, and the beautiful Spanish Moss growing off its limbs reminded me of God’s position outside the boundaries of time. He is called the Ancient of Days in some passages.

The green leaves on the branches, hoisted far above the surface of the water, reminded me of the fact that true life, life to the full, eternal life, are only found in God.

The way the tree is hoisted above the water reminded me of Christ’s cross and how it demands one’s attention.

Then there is its reflection on the water:

The tree’s reflection on the water was almost indistinguishable from the tree itself. It was an extension of the tree’s qualities spread out onto the water. The reflection was not perfect, but it should be apparent that this is not because of any quality of the tree. The water’s unsteady and easily manipulated qualities caused the imperfection of the reflection.

How great of a metaphor this reflection is of God’s reflection onto us. How can we reflect God? Where do we need to be? Notice that not all the water surrounding the tree reflects it. Only that water which has placed itself in the prime position, can reflect the tree’s image. In the same way, only if we place ourselves in such a way as to have an appropriate view of ourselves before God, will we really reflect his divine qualities! Some waters may think that they are close to the tree, just as we may be deceived into thinking that we are close to God. Only when we make every effort to seek God and really humble ourselves before him will we be able to reflect God. Our reflection of God is imperfect, just as the water reflected the tree imperfectly. Our uncertainty, volatility, selfishness, and weakness will never allow us to be a perfect reflection of God. Even so, the tree’s reflection on the water made it more complete and fulfilled, using the water’s reflective quality in the best possible way. In the same way, in spite of our imperfections, God shines through us and helps us grow to become more than we could have ever attained on our own.