Cottonwood Christianity

“…there is hope of a tree…that it will sprout again and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.” Job 14: 7-9

The cottonwood is the most beautiful and inspiring of all trees. Its leaves glisten in the sun like no other. They rustle with the tender, reassuring “shuussh” of a mother comforting her sleepy child.

The cottonwood can survive in the harshest of conditions and poorest of soils

When young, it is vulnerable to the elements and easily uprooted; however when mature, it grows tall and wide, large and imposing—the sort of tree that river men used to tie their boats to. Some have stood nearly two hundred years, providing shelter for the birds, shade for the traveler and refuge for all who seek it. From this tree we may learn great lessons of faith.

The cottonwood can survive in the harshest of conditions and poorest of soils. It requires little, yet gives so much. A little water—even infrequently—some sunlight, and, left alone, it will grow quickly and prosper. Once mature, it casts forth seeds onto the wind. They float here and there, carried by the winds of fortune, landing on rich soil and poor, rocks and weed patches, near creeks, fields and highways.

They go where the Spirit moves them. Some folks say it is a dirty tree, because the seeds cover their lawn, clog their gutters, stick to their air conditioners or cling to their screens. Some folks plant the sterile version—the one that does not cast forth its seeds. As for me, I prefer the honest version—the “dirty” tree that unashamedly casts its seeds onto the wind and, in time, generates new, soon-to-be-majestic trees that will in turn propagate their kind over time.

Like the cottonwood seed, the seeds of our faith blossom where they are planted. They need only a receptive heart

Normally, the sterile variety will not do this. It will be majestic for a time, but will die alone with no progeny—it will not pass its seeds to the winds of time and propagate its kind. It is not evangelical like its fruitful cousin. Give me the “dirty” version any day—the one whose seeds clog gutters and air conditioners—the one you have to deal with. It has substance, it is honest and it propagates its kind—the way God intended. I love the tree for another reason.

The oriole—one of the most beautiful of birds—builds its nest in the cottonwood. It creates a tightly woven, teardrop shaped nest, which hangs seemingly precariously from the tip of a limb. This nest can survive vicious winds while protecting the eggs or the youngsters inside the nest. This most beautiful of birds trusts in the tree enough to build a tiny nest on the very ends of its branches; and the tree protects and shelters the birds from harm.

The cottonwood tree is like the Christian faith. Our faith, too, is majestic, glorious, strong and inspiring. From the humblest of births, the faith has grown and prospered from time to time and generation to generation—passed along by the seeds of faith, carried from believer to believer by the breath of God, the Holy Spirit. Like the cottonwood seed, the seeds of our faith blossom where they are planted. They need only a receptive heart. 

I don’t want to be sterile, seedless and uninspiring. I want to be a Cottonwood Christian

The faith offers shelter for the weary traveler, reassurance for those who doubt, and inspiration. Faith in Him flourishes in the harshest of places, the poorest of places and amidst hostility and resentment. It needs only the slightest encouragement to grow and prosper. Mature, unapologetic faith-filled believers—like the cottonwood—grow tall and mighty in their faith; they shine with reflected glory, inspire others and in turn spread the seeds of faith. Like the seeds of the dirty cottonwood, the seeds of faith fly into one’s face.

The seeds of faith are honest and confront you. They are unapologetic and you have to deal with them. You can accept them, or you can reject them. If they fall on accepting hearts, then they will grow a thousand fold and prosper the faith.

I have learned much by studying my favorite tree. It has taught me great lessons of faith. I want to practice Cottonwood Christianity. I want to be like the cottonwood, and follow Jesus. I want to be simple and honest, yet majestic in my faith. I want to shine with reflected glory and glimmer with the light of His love. I want to inspire awe in others. I want to take root and grow, sending out seeds of faith carried by the winds of the Spirit. Like the dirty cottonwood, I will not apologize for spreading the seeds of my faith. And I want to give thanks for all He has done in my life—for the sustenance, the shelter and the inspiration He has given me every day of my life. I don’t want to be sterile, seedless and uninspiring. I want to be a Cottonwood Christian.