Poisoned Trees

John 8:31-32

...If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

What a shame that someone could destroy such beautiful Live Oaks rooted in such rich history in Auburn, Alabama. How ironic is it that when trying to hurt a tradition, a victorious spirit, a gathering place of love and family that can not be devastated that only the destroyer was ultimately defeated?

As an Alabama fan, my heart has hurt to think about how one man's actions have reflected negatively upon an entire population of people. I love that I grew up an Alabama fan and that my family celebrated the various traditions that go along with football in this state including "the rivalry" between Auburn & Alabama. However, in recent years, I have come to appreciate the beauty, the spirit, the family that is Auburn with my husband(Auburn graduate and fan), family and friends. My love for Alabama as a football team will never parrish as it is much deeper to me than football. It is memories, it is family, it is what makes ME, me.

However, when I think about how it makes me feel to hear one man's lapse of judgement, horrible choice, sin reflected on an entire following I can not help but see a parallel to our relationship in Christ. How many times have MY actions hurt Christianity as a whole? As a follower of Christ, a child of God, a DISCIPLE I must look to my own life and ask the troubling question: Am I poisoning trees? Precious moments that I have been given to live my life with purpose that I have wasted, tarnished, thrown away, destroyed. How much shame have I caused to His kingdom by my negative example through sin, horrible choices and lapses in judgement? Don't you think God's heart aches much the same as ours does regarding the poisoned Live Oaks when we don't share His love with others or when we give in to our flesh and sin? I am so very grateful that He has forgiven me and I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ can forgive me for letting them down when I have misrepresented our "team" and gone astray. May we remember that whether we say Roll Tide or War Eagle that we are first and more importantly called to live according to His purpose.