I recently borrowed a chain saw from a friend to cut some tree limbs in my yard.  One tree in particular, was in great need of having its branches thinned.  So, given that a neighbor knew a guy who knew a tree trimmer who had some tree trimming advice that travelled over the years to me, with chain saw in hand, I was prepared to start cutting.  A couple of things quickly became apparent.  

• One: it was fun to trim but hard to stop cutting branches.
• Two: some have more leaves and coverage than it appeared.  
• Three: even duct tape doesn't hold branches to the trunk of a tree.

Anyway, it's all good!  Now, my trees look better and they'll be more healthy.

 

In trimming my trees to allow more beauty and greater health, it occurred to me that there are times in our lives when our limbs get crossed and bunched in a way that clutter and absorb life giving energy, leaving us more worn out, scattered and even without clarity of vision.  The tree that most needed trimming was like that.  Its bundled, cluttered branches blocked any view of the sky, many branches were unnecessary and drawing energy from more essential limbs, and while it may not feel worn out, it looked overwhelmed and blocked from healthy growth.  So, trimming to essentials opened it to a new beginning by getting some of itself out of its own way.

 

As we near Thanksgiving, what essentials are you thankful for?  How do we tend our most essential elements of our lives that we may experience healthy growth?  Does this, at times, require trimming other things away that may be subtracting life energy and beauty, not adding to it?  

 

I find the trunk of my tree, the biggest of life giving limbs, to be that of my spiritual life.  To nurture and invest in that allows all else to grow.  Then, there are other relationships and life enterprises that I find essential.  They're often found to be the reasons I have for doing other things. While that is the case, that doesn't mean they're receiving the time and energy they deserve.  So, sometimes it is time to trim for a better life.

 

In this season, let us be thankful for that which we've been blessed and put first things first in a way that allows us to gain vision and clarity, invest in essentials and know growing health and beauty.

 

By the way, trimming away made a big mess.  Limbs, sawdust and leaves fell to the ground.  I was surprised how much fell and how much work it would take to stack, cut, load and haul away.  It was all worth it, though.  It's much better.  God calls us to follow on the Way of Jesus.  That can call us to cut away as much as we add.  It may even cause a mess for awhile.  And, I promise, if more than a momentary investment, it'll take plenty of work.  But, it's all more than worth it.  Don't cut the trunk, nurture it that all else may grow.

 

Adapted from the book by world-renowned religion scholar Karen Armstrong, A History of God looks at the origins of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and their development in the ancient Middle East.  Some of us have already seen the film, but we now have an opportunity to discuss the ideas presented and hear the perspective of our Muslim friends.  The program will start at 5 PM with a short prayer service.

 

Plan to come for an interesting evening as we grow in friendship with the IMAN folks.  We'll be organizing carpools for the evening, so stay tuned for more information in Sunday bulletins.  We'll also have sign-up sheets available following worship services for the next few Sundays.

 

Questions?  Speak with David Paul (206-522-1309) or Theresa Hohman (206-377-9090).

  

 

Exploring Buddhism

Under the general heading "Love my neighbor-OK, but just who is my neighbor?," First United Methodist Church of Bellevue is sponsoring a series of events exploring world religions.  Coming up November 13-18 are four programs and worship services focusing on Buddhism.  For more information, click here.