A gnarly tree branch is an ugly chapter with a beautiful story

Take a close look at the tree in the photo. I believe it is a Western Red Cedar that I discovered on a public trail near Kent, Washington. Maybe one hundred or more feet tall.

But what do you see in the middle of the photo?

An amazingly gnarly branch contorted like the letter “S” and then finally continuing on up like its cousin branch above it. Like all tree branches, they are seeking sunlight, competing with other branches of other trees for that essential element for most living organisms.

Over the years, I remain highly impressed by the tenacity of that branch.

Some time after pushing out from the main trunk to seek the light, as branches are meant to do, this branch was bent down and folded over by steady pressures that forced it back toward the trunk. For a time.

Then refusing to succumb to such negative pressure and redirection, that intrepid branch slowly, inexorably curved itself back around and up, creating a second remarkable fold, in order to return to its intended course in life.

Now THAT’S determination!

Is there a better natural metaphor for the innate, intrepid determination in humanity for living an upward, upright, and stalwart life? All life starts with the “intention” to grow and mature and propagate ... and eventually to die as part of the great Cycle of Life created by God.

Yet, not all life-plans develop as intended.

Outside forces press down against that upward yearning and striving. Those negative forces fold life back over against itself, threatening to stifle dreams of reaching sunlight and contributing to the overall vitality of the Great Tree of Life.

And yet, suppression of hope and yearning does not always get the last word.

As evidenced by this “little branch that could,” the positive inner life-force of that sturdy branch is eventually greater than the negative outer death-force that folded it over away from the sun. And ever so slowly, the branch pushes and pushes back around, pushing more and more until the wrong is corrected and the branch can now return to its original task and goal.

But here’s the thing. The gnarl is still there; it will always be part of that branch’s story. It is an ugly chapter in a beautiful story of perseverance and determination.

I suppose the lower branch may have preferred to be shaped like its upper cousin, but it isn’t. But then, the upper one is not what caught my attention and taught such a powerful lesson.

You can probably see the parable illustrated here. Put it alongside the evil and inhumane experiences of suffering and oppression of one people at the hands of another, which grievously happens again and again.

And remember this cautioning word of wisdom: “See, ... God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Then follow it with this promise: “The crooked shall be made straight ... and all people shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:5-6).

Look ... LOOK ... there is hope!