Ancient Trees

Recently, I spent some time walking slowly and peacefully along the flooded Yarra River. I was on a leadership retreat with a few other Pastors from around Australia for a week of reflection, prayer and refreshment. As part of this retreat we spent time engaging head-first into those rich spiritual practices of ‘Silence’ and ‘Solitude’. Yes, you heard right, no technology, no watches, no talking and no food for fourteen hours. 

Having participated in these adventures at various times before my enthusiasm for what awaited this time was not increased by the new setting. I mentally prepared for what seemed,  in advance, like a  Hercules-like task. And so the day began at 5am with the stillness of the morning and a cold chill in the air. 

We were staying at a breath taking and historic Catholic retreat centre, built before much of Melbourne was even planned. I began my day by walking down the sloping hills which lead through thick, dense bush towards the riverbank. It was dawn with only birds and the rushing of water for company. 

Recently we've had a lot of rain; stating the obvious right? It seems as though our majestic land is so sodden with rain and has nowhere to put it anymore. With swollen rivers and creeks, flooded plains and even destroyed houses, our country seems unrecognisable compared with the dry desert landscape of Black Summer. 

As I walked slowly along what was more of a bog than a river bank I paused and looked around. The river was high, very high. The soil was sodden and several large trees, whose roots could not hold any longer, had fallen in my way. I wrestled through bushes and numerous large bogs. The mosquitoes were plague-like as were the weeds and thistles. I even fell over at one point but I best not mention that. Sure enough I was far from feeling contemplative! 

And then I came to a clearing of old ancient gum trees whose roots grew deep and long into the soil and who’s hunger for water led for roots running deep into the river. I paused and was in awe of the majestic and beautiful creation; some giants who have stood the test of time and surpassed all seasons of dry and harsh tempest. 

It’s been a long year for all of us, as I'm sure has by now become a mantra. Our energies have been strained, our muscles have been stretched, our calendars chaotic, our spirits have finished the year with almost nothing left in the tank. It is as though our world has rushed into ‘hyper-drive’ after two years of lying fallow. 

And yet as I examined these ancient and sacred gum trees, I truly was moved by the capacity for such giants to survive such harsh and extreme environments; check that, not survive but thrive. While everything around these trees was wet, sodden, swamp like… here they stood above the canopy with strength and pride. Perhaps through moments of challenge these ancients saw an invitation for growth and resilience?

The book of Jeremiah came to mind; a rich text and a reflection of human struggle though difficult seasons. My distractions of hunger, tiredness began to fade and my mind began to slow, my focus began to fall upon these prophetic and peaceful words. It was in this moment that I realised how mentally and spiritually tired and exhausted I really was. 

Jeremiah 17: 7-8“…Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like trees planted by the water that sends out its shoots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes’ it leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

May this Christmas and holiday time not be one of commitment and cliché, may it not be one of consumerism, money and chaos. Sincerely friends, may this be a peaceful and enriching Christmas. May you switch off the phone, logout of your emails, switch off the news and sign-out of social media. May you be still enough to make space of stillness and calm. May you walk along a river with the family, or climb a great mountain together. 

But even more importantly, may you grow deeper in faith, may your roots run deep into the soil. And may you and your family be nourished and blessed with a time of rest and peace.