Black Spruce
In August of 2018 my husband Richard and I took a trip
to Newfoundland. Newfoundland was
beautiful and it provided not only a feast for the eyes, but some real food for
thought. On one of our seaside hikes we
entered a forest of black spruce. There
were signs up there telling us that this particular forest contained very mature
trees that were near the end of their lives.
That fact in itself is interesting to me, because trees live so long
that we usually don’t think much about their natural life span. But trees, like all living things have a time
to live and a time to die.
This is a picture of what the trees in that forest
looked like. Although they’re more than
100 years old, you’ll notice that they’re not very big. Large trees wouldn’t last in this coastal
area because the soil isn’t very deep.
The trees look old, though.
They’re a bit ragged and gnarled -- and nearing the end of their lives. Usually, a forest is populated by trees at
varying stages of life. This diversity
of ages ensures the continuation of whatever species of tree is dominating the
forest. In this forest, all the
trees are mature. Because it lacks the
diversity it needs, when these black spruce trees die, the make-up of the
forest is uncertain. Park scientists don’t
know what the area will look like, but they don’t think that this space will be
a black spruce forest in the future.
So, why is this forest populated by only mature spruce? Well, it’s because the forest has been undisturbed. Disruption creates conditions that allow for
new growth. Disturbance creates
renewal. Over time, soil is buried beneath a thick organic layer. For new growth to occur, the soil needs to be
exposed. It needs a disturbance. Natural disturbances are things like fire,
wind, and insects.
Wind disturbance opens up the forest canopy and lets
sunlight in. In the sun, new growth
begins. Seeds that are present in the
soil or blow into the area with wind are now able to take root and start
growing. Sometimes wind knocks trees
down. We’ve certainly seen plenty of
that in southern Virginia in the last few years. If you’re like me, when you see a tree that’s
fallen over you think, “Oh, that’s too bad.”
But, once a fallen tree makes contact with the ground, the process of
decomposition starts. As a tree decays,
it releases nutrients back into the soil.
While it’s very inconvenient when a tree falls in your yard – especially
when it takes out some power lines, in forests, toppled trees are a healthy
part of the life cycle.
While in the past, fire was considered a destructive
force that had to be extinguished, attitudes have changed. An absence of fire creates a forest dominated
by old trees. Now, when fires occur
naturally in the national parks, they are allowed to burn -- at least for a while. Sometimes “prescribed burning” is used to restore health to a forest that has
been undisturbed for too long. Fire is a
natural disturbance that plays a vital role in the regeneration of forests. Frequent fires create patches of forest
diverse in species, structure and age.
Fire also creates a habitat suitable for a variety of animals.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…And?
Well, the black spruce forest came into my mind this morning as I was
meditating. COVID-19 is a disturbance
that has been sent into our forest.
COVID-19 has brought illness, death, and loads of
stress. Stress, tension, and conflict are
typically viewed in mostly negative terms.
No one likes to feel these things, but tension, is not only inevitable,
it’s a potential source for good. In
fact, it may be more accurate to say that some form of stress is required for the good. So, when I’m feeling stressed and tempted to
fight against the disruption this strange time brings, maybe I can change my
mind and embrace it. Rather than giving
in to frustration, maybe I can surrender to this unique opportunity for growth. Maybe rather then wondering how long this will
last, I can pay attention to what’s happening in my life and in community and
look for evidence of God at work.
In Ephesians 5, Paul urges believers to redeem the
time. “15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not
as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is.” The word for time in this passage is Kairos, and rather than the time on the
calendar or clock, Kairos
is a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action
: the opportune and decisive moment. Think of a pregnant
lady ready to give birth. Make the most of every opportunity, Paul
says. Don’t be foolish but understand
what the will of the Lord is. Romans 12
echoes this idea. Paul says that as we
submit to God’s transforming work in our lives, we’re able to “test and approve
what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The
times are so urgent, so pregnant with possibilities for redemption and
transformation, that we can’t afford to miss it.
In
Ephesians 5:18 Paul urges believers to be filled with the Spirit. Can you think of two metaphors for the Holy
Spirit in the Scriptures? Wind and fire! Forests need the natural disturbances of wind
and fire. We
need the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit in our lives and communities. The Holy Spirit stirs us up – disturbs our
soil so that new growth happens.
This is an opportune time to discern the will of the
Lord. As we embrace the disruptive
action of the Holy Spirit in our lives – individually, and as a community , the Lord will
infuse us with new life and growth – and perhaps a renewed sense of vocation to
share the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
May God grant us – the community that is Reformed and always being
reformed - His grace as we move into the future.
Here’s a benediction – again from Ephesians (chapter 3):
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the
riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the
inner self, 17 and that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in
love, 18 may have
strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length
and height and depth, 19 and to know
the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all
the fullness of God.
20 Now
to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the
power at work within us, 21 to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.
