Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Through Extreme Hardship, Silently Adapt

This is a picture of the bristle cone pine called the Methuselah Tree.  This tree is the oldest known living organism, surviving at elevations of 10,000 to 11,000 feet in California, believed to be about 4,723 years old. (correction, this is a bristle cone pine, which is the same tree as the Methuselah, so you get the picture of what it would look like...Methuselah is protected by the National Forest Service, so some people have seen it)

This tree was alive when Pharaoh built the pyramids, Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, the Roman Empire conquered the known world and Jesus Christ was born, died and resurrected.

Characteristics of Methuselah:
1)  flourishing through extreme hardships over long periods of time
2)  adapts to a changing environment
3)  surviving in barren landscape
4)  during droughts, it becomes dormant
5)  starving off portions of itself to feed small parts, based on availability of water and nutrients

Wow! All of creation points to the Creator and the Creator leaves behind messages to us, his creations.

The message my Creator shouted through this creation was to develop the ability to adapt.  Through all the different weather conditions, the Methuselah Tree has learned to adapt to the environment...not to be killed by the storms.  Although it appears to be dead, it is still alive.  The gnarled appearance has been caused by extremely harsh environmental conditions over centuries of time.

I have the same Creator as the Methuselah Tree, and He, and only He can see me through extreme hardships with peace as my guide.  Can I silently adapt?

There have been some wonderful challenges sent through the blog world the last couple of weeks. Remember, I am new to this world, and yet, my personal challenge is to believe Him through the storms, while adapting silently.

I am not known for silence, unless I am extremely angry, so silently adapting will have to be God.

God speaks through so many things in our lives.  Today, it was this 5000-year-old miracle tree named Methuselah.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4; cf. Psalm 97:6)

6 Joining in with more words:

Cindy said...

I love this post because it is one I need for today as I face a couple of trials that require that I silently adapt as the Lord works it all out. Thank you for sharing it.

Traci Michele said...

Awesome post! Thank you.

Debbie Petras said...

Janette, I'm so glad you visited Heart Choices today and left your comment. I want to say that I too am now in a rental home after having to sell our dream home. I never thought I would ever have to move. I would have loved to live there until the day I died but it was not to be. In the meantime, I'm learning to trust God's ways and learn the lessons I need to learn through the hardships. Just know that you are not alone.

Debbie

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Janette:

I just hopped over from Heart Choices, and really enjoyed your blog!

"Silently adapt"... oh boy that is a hard one for me, especially the 'silent' part!

I really enjoyed what you shared here Janette, and will look forward to visiting again!

Blessings!

Sonja

Debbie said...

Janette, I came to your blog through Debbie @ Heart Choices. I read your comment and decided to pop over as we seem to have much in common. We too are leaving our home of 25 years. We are not even sure where we are going yet. But we will be renting for a while too. Soo strange to be doing after 30 years of doing what you want to a home. I read your previous post too btw and I LOVE the look of the bed. AND.. can't see for sure, but it appears you have the exact same furniture...it is soo big I am wondering if I will even find a house that is big enough for it. I have 4 grown kids who grew up in this house. But a new season (or chapter) in our lives is beginning, and there is a part of me that is excited to see where it will take us. One thing is for sure....it too will be temporary. We truly are only passing through. I am glad I discovered your blog, I will definitely be back. Debbie

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Wow, seems like God is doing a lot of adapting! I keep thinking that we are building bridges for the generation behind us as they see us walk this unfamiliar path. New dwellings in our late 40's or 50's. Blessings to you all, and thanks for stopping by...continuing on this journey, through the victories and tears, while holding fast to the one who brings us to Him
Janette

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