Unlimited Growth Potential

Trees are amazing—both in how large and in how old they can be. What spiritual lessons can we learn from some of the oldest living things in creation?

I’ve always been in awe of trees. They are among the largest organisms in existence and can live for many hundreds of years. Recently, I listened to a piece on National Public Radio (NPR) that discussed some very interesting facts about trees. The piece explained how scientists have recently done research that disproves a common misconception about these colossal plants.

Most people think that once trees reach a certain height, they just stop growing (or at least slow down). But an international study has revealed that this is false. In fact, researchers found that the older trees get, the more air they filter—which means they grow at a much faster rate than younger trees. The professor interviewed in the NPR report also said that these results have made some people think that trees, if placed in a world without extreme weather, drought or disease, would have “unlimited growth potential,” meaning that they could theoretically continue to grow forever.

Wisdom from God’s intelligent design

We can learn spiritual lessons from the incredible creation that surrounds us. And there’s a lot we can learn from trees. Here are three lessons to consider:

1. We are never finished growing spiritually.

Our ultimate goal is to become like Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). The goal is not a singular event that can be checked off a list like baptism or memorizing a section of Scripture. The goal is to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (verse 15). This goal of building Christ-like character is constantly at odds with our human nature and will be something to strive towards until the end (Galatians 5:17). We must continue to work towards it with the spiritual tools God has given us, like prayer, fasting, meditation, Bible study, service and fellowship with others of like mind.

There is no age or stage of life in which we do not need to continue growing spiritually!

2. We should try to understand our place in the spectrum of spiritual experience.

There will always be Christians who are more mature, wise or spiritually strong than we are—like those older trees that grow faster and produce more clean air than the younger ones. Instead of comparing ourselves to them in a negative way or feeling that we will never “catch up” to them spiritually, we should look at these producers of spiritual fruit as an example we can follow, in addition to following Christ. We must also remember what it says in 1 Peter 5:5: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility.” In addition, we cannot forget that those behind us on the same path towards the Kingdom are looking to us for similar guidance. Therefore, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

3. Your unlimited growth potential can be completely realized in a perfect world!

Research has shown that most trees die because of environmental issues. In a perfect world, trees could continue living much longer. Like trees, we can be worn out by the world around us. It is only in the ideal environment of a world ruled by the Kingdom of God that we—not just those called today, but every person who chooses life—will be able to really thrive, unhindered by the influence of evil (1 Corinthians 13:10; Revelation 20:10).

God will replace our human nature with His Spirit: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The extraordinary blessings of a godly world and a truly yielded heart will enable every willing person to finally unlock his or her true unlimited growth potential.

Let’s learn from the trees and remember that we should be like trees in one major way: We should keep growing!

To learn more about the tools God has given us to grow, read “Prayer, Fasting and Meditation.”

Tamara Valley is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Houston, Texas. She really likes trees.