Sustained
We have a big tree in our back yard that gives amazing shade. It’s a walnut tree. I’ve learned that walnut trees are not my favorite. In case you are unaware, walnut trees leave walnuts. The squirrels in our yard love our tree. They like to hide walnuts … EVERYWHERE. We find them tucked in all sorts of odd places that make one wonder how bright squirrels, well, aren’t! The shade our tree provides is wonderful, and the leaves stay on the tree longer than any other tree in the entire neighborhood. This is good: if you have an especially sunny fall. And bad: because the leaves fall literally all at once, and, without fail, AFTER the date the city comes by to pick up those extra trash bags filled with leaves. I obviously have a love/hate relationship with the big tree in our backyard.
I can trust that tree to not fall over though. It seems especially solid. The branches sway a bit in the wind, but the trunk is thick and strong. I don’t know much about walnut trees, and I admit, I don’t feel the urge to research the particulars. I assume though, that the roots for our tree run deep, perhaps they even spread out. I think this particularly because we are often having to cut new tree shoots that seem to pop up all over our backyard.
The Bible refers to trees, though I don’t think walnut trees are referred to very often. (I did look that up! A walnut tree is referred to in Song of Solomon 6. Who knew?!) Now olive trees, that’s a different story! Romans 11:17,18 says, “Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree, do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast — you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.” Let me just say that Romans 11 is confusing to me. I understand part of the gist of what Paul is saying, and I’m not the one to come to for a complete analysis of what he is saying. In the two verses referenced, I know I’m one of the wild olive branches. I kinda like that (don’t tell my mom). I’m a wild branch because I’m a Gentile; I’m not of Jewish descent. I have been grafted in amongst the children of Israel because I believe Jesus Christ died to rescue me from the punishment of sin. I have given Him Lordship over my life, and I choose to follow the example He has left with the help of God’s Holy Spirit in me. I understand I am not to consider myself better than the branches of those Israelites who have not yet chosen to accept Christ as the Messiah they have been waiting for. As one who is “grafted in,” I get to “share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree,” and that “root sustains [me].”
You may not think that sounds very exciting, but it has me wanting to do the happy dance! This isn’t any ol’ olive tree. This tree is cultivated! This tree is watched over, cared for, pruned when necessary, given necessary nutrients at just the right time. This tree is tenderly encouraged and strengthened so that it will be magnificent and abundantly fruitful. I get to reap the benefit of being part of something that is so very deeply loved and cherished. The roots of this amazing tree sustain me.
The word sustain means: “1. to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of, as a structure. 2. to bear (a burden, charge, etc.). 3. to undergo, experience, or suffer (injury, loss, etc.); endure without giving way or yielding. 4. to keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way, as under trial or affliction. 5. to keep up or keep going, as an action or process: to sustain a conversation. 6. to supply with food, drink and other necessities of life. 7. to provide for (an institution or the like) by furnishing means or funds. 8. to support (a cause or the like) by aid or approval. 9. to uphold as valid, just, or correct, as a claim or the person making it: The judge sustained the lawyer’s objection. 10. to confirm or corroborate, as a statement: Further investigation sustained my suspicions.” (Dictionary.com)
Think about it: the roots of the cultivated olive tree that I’ve been grafted into support me, hold me, bear me up. They enable me to undergo hard stuff without giving way. Those astounding roots enable my mind and my spirit from breaking under trials or affliction. They help keep me moving forward and growing to become all God imagines for me. Those blessed roots supply me with whatever my spiritual life needs. Those precious roots remind me that I am worth something to the Father and they confirm to my spirit that I am treasured.
I can see my walnut tree out the window of my office. After spending some time trying to understand Paul’s ramble in Romans 11, my walnut tree is becoming a reminder to me of the strength and stability that is available to me when I seek nourishment from the roots God has provided me. I need to be in His Word, learning God’s whole story so that I know and understand how well God has cultivated His olive tree. From every portion of the Scripture, I learn more of who this wondrous God Almighty is, and how faithful He always is to provide that which will perfectly sustain. I’m a wild branch, and I’ve been grafted in: may I blossom with gratitude and strength.
