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?
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)
This is a re-post from last year - because God seems to be speaking the same words to me again...sorry if you have already read it...I am sure I am speaking to myself.
Prayers are with our neighbors here in Texas that have lost so much due to the fires that are scorching the country side. May the Lord be with them all and for all the firefighters and recovery teams being sent into these areas.
What a powerful message this is INDEED. Thank you for sharing it again for those ( like me) who haven't read it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary
Well, I must have missed this one. This is great so I am glad you reposted. It really speaks to me today. I always wish I was more easily adaptable than I am. I pitch a fit every single time. I always repent but sometimes I wish I could just say yes Lord, maybe that is why that tree is still around. He just sits there on the hill and isn't off rolling down the hill made about something. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I am praying for Texas and I have been all summer. What a year.
It was all new to me. I'm sure that being there in Texas and knowing exactly what is going on so close to home is very troubling. It's troubling to those of us many miles away. I echo your prayers for Texas...
ReplyDeleteI know why you re-posted this, Janette - it was for me! God's answer to the prayer I just NOW was praying about my situation at school with new administration and the environment so dramatically changed that I am complete beaten down by the end of the day - and I've only been teaching for three days so far! What high hopes I had for this year are dashed and I'm in such a quandary. I was just now praying about this to the Lord and rehearsing what I would say dare I to have a platform to even speak, when I sat down to catch up on some posts - and here you were with 'Hardship - Silently Adapt".
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love how God is short, sweet, and comes to the point. The words to your title smacked me in the face with great impact - and your detailed story drove it home with the list of things I ought to be praying for to be formed in me.
God will handle the new leadership I must work under. My job - adapt and bless them.
Thanks for being there today at this moment with this timely re-post!
Joy in the journey!
Kathy
P.S. Blessings and God's protection for all our dear ones in Texas!
Well this was new to me and I am so glad you shared it. It just goes soo against our natures doesn't it? Mine anyway for sure. I have always WANTED to be the gal who rolled with the punches and easily fit into whatever situation I am placed, but instead I whine and drag my feel and point out all the reasons it is unfair....sigh. I DO sooo need to silently adapt. Great post! Have a wonderful day. Praying for the fires...a few have broken out here too....soo sad.
ReplyDeleteI think I am better at adapting than at being silent. This is such a great picture of life, and God uses this OLD seemingly dead tree to teach a fresh new lesson to me this morning! I love it, and I am getting the message.
ReplyDeletexo
We are keeping a close eye on those fires. My prayers are with yours. I am always moved at how the goodwill pours forth in disaster.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember reading this
ReplyDeletebefore so I really enjoyed it.
Yes, praying for those in Texas
as I heard it again this morning
on the news. May God be with them
and restore to them seven times
over and may those who do not know
Him find Him and find new life.
Until your post, I was unfamiliar with the Methuselah Tree!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson.
Just notice the spelling - the last 5 letters are those that occur every now and then in the Psalms. Selah. Apparently there is some difference in opinion about what Selah really means - but seems to be something like "stop and think about this...meditate."
Janette, this is perfect. I have been thinking so much about the ability to adapt and how very much that is a part of God's plan. I was so happy to learn about the Methuselah Tree. Its characteristics are really hitting home right now. thank you. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that my Creator leaves such wonderful secret messages for me. And that you are willing to be the deliver of these messages. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sue
That is a message for me today. I'm sending you an email and you'll understand why...
ReplyDeleteI didn't see it the 1st time around. I'm so glad you did a reprint.
ReplyDeleteIt speaks to me too. I think I'll print a copy of this tree and hang it were I can see it as a reminder to myself when I need it most.
I will continue to pray for all those involved in these horrible natural disaster.
I love the photo, Janette. I have a half finished painting of a Bristle
ReplyDeleteCone Pine (Methuselah Tree), I should get in and finish it. Resiliency is a virtue, as long as you don't compromise your virtues to adapt. Good thoughts. And yes, praying for everyone effected by the Texas fires.
It's unanimous, we all need this post today!
ReplyDeleteWhat powerful and encouraging post! I am very thankful that you've re-posted it; and if you ever want to re-post it again, I will gladly re-read it again. Praying with you for Texas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, lovely post. God has been teaching me all about waiting this last year or so. It is not an easy lesson because I'd way rather be DOING. But it's an important lesson nonetheless. Thanks for sharing all your great insights about what you've been learning through this tree :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for re-posting this message. It's one that I needed to hear. Blessings in Christ...Susan
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect message for me this morning. I can't believe how perfect, in fact. I do not adapt well, and I definitely do not adapt silently.
ReplyDeleteI need to take the lesson from the Methuselah tree. (I'm getting pretty gnarled but that doesn't count.)
Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one, Janette.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have driven up Highway 395 many times, and we have yet to make the drive up to the Bristlecone Pine forest. Some day, we will. I just have to look at Mr. Methuselah.
Such a testimony to being grounded in the good soil of the Lord's mighty power. With His Spirit, we can adapt to anything.
I am not a good person with *change* - and yet, God seems to do His best work when I am a little off-kilter. I think that's because I lean on Him more when I'm tottering!
GOD BLESS!
that is such a good story, Janette! thankful to know the LIFE in you that is EVERLASTING. GRATEFUL for you and your testimonies to God's goodness and his power to change us from the 'inside out'! Love you and praying for you tonight.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful message! What a great example of creation pointing to the Creator!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of this tree too.
No, you are speaking to me as well (or should I say the Lord is speaking to me)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!
Wow! I didn't see this the first time, so I am so glad your re-posted it! Yes, adapt (and silently). Sometimes that is difficult to do.
ReplyDeleteOne of my very best friends and her family are right in the heart of the wildfires. Her mom doesn't know if her home is still standing because they were forced to evacuate. I'm praying for them and for all. Thanks for sharing this beautiful reminder and amazing piece of history!
You're speaking to me too. Thank you so much for sharing this :) Sorry I haven't been around much this summer. We're getting back in the groove of school, so now I will have a more regular schedule. I'll try to start posting again soon :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
'To adapt' is key to a better life; isn't it interesting that the older most of us get, the less flexible we become with certain things?
ReplyDeleteSuch a powerful object lesson, no matter how many times I read it!
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the fire-enduring Texans. Hubby & I had a similar challenge in 2003 when we endured (and prepared to evacuate) one of Southern California's more virulent blazes. Scary stuff.
Hey Janette..
ReplyDeleteIm sorry I havent been around, but I am back..and hope to stopping by more often as well
Great post.. and so true in my life. I need to take hed to your story and be more adaptable..
thanks.. have a great weekend
What a tremendous post and one that meant so much to me. I've really had to learn to adapt these past 3 months with my Dad's illness. Some days have been easier than others, but I'm still a "work in progress" in that area. Blessings to you this day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janette. I had not heard of the Methusaleh Tree - and that is a great post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you - Marsha
I'm so glad that you did repost. I had never heard of this tree and your application is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteTexas sure has had more than it's share of misery this year...
Blessings, Debbie
Why wasn't it killed in the flood?
ReplyDeleteThat is not the Methuselah Tree, the National Park Service has kept it's identity secret to prevent it from being vandalized. The public has no idea of what it looks like or it's exact location, only the location of the grove where it resides is public information.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your correction...the point was to give the idea of what the tree looked like...I am glad it is protected and had understood you couldn't see it, but someone has since they protect it.
ReplyDelete