It was just another
hot, humid, late summer morning. An early walk was appropriate in light of the
day’s forecast of temperatures in the nineties, high humidity, and a
relentlessly sunny day that would bake anyone venturing outside. The shade
trees in our neighborhood were welcome on days like this. While not able to
avoid the heat and humidity even at 6:00 AM, at least my walk would be spared
the sun’s rays. My route changes daily and is adjusted largely by the angle of
the early morning sun and the subsequent shade the massive maples and towering
oaks afford. I never thought much about walking under these stately shade trees
except to be grateful for the relief they provided on days like this.
As I rounded the corner of one block, the
still air allowed the heat to radiate off the asphalt adding to the discomfort.
Even the night’s darkness had not cooled the surface of the roadway. Stepping
off a curb a tremendous crack and an almost immediate crash jolted me out of my
sleepy state. The ground vibrated as an immense limb fell to the ground yards
away from my path. There was no warning, no indication that the limb was in
danger of falling, just the noise and the swish of air from leaves of the limb.
The wide boulevard was completely blocked as the branch spanned the road from
one curb to beyond the other. The branch was so huge that had I not known
better, I would have assumed an entire tree had fallen. In that instant I
became an Olympic sprinter as I tried to distance myself from the area not
knowing if more collapses were imminent.
Almost instantly a crowd gathered from
surrounding houses. The crash was heard and felt even in their residences.
Keeping our distance, we visually examined the place on the tree from where the
branch had detached. It was rotten. The branch appeared healthy but it was
obvious something had caused the branch to decay close to the trunk. For
whatever reason, the decay became so large that it could no longer sustain the
weight of the branch and the collapse resulted. Who would have thought! I
walked under that tree several times a week and never could have imagined that
I was in peril of being crushed by a branch from a tree that I had depended
upon for a shade.
Continuing my walk I began to reflect on
what happened. Numerous thoughts came to mind. What appears outwardly healthy
may be internally diseased. Outward appearances are not guarantees of inward
realities. Collapses often are not planned; they just happen. Safety should not
be presumed in a world that is subject to decay. A person can plan their day,
but they do not know what a day brings forth. I was amazed at what I could
learn from a broken branch!
When it comes to people, there can be
unexpected collapses too. There are numerous examples that just came to your
mind as you read that line. People that gave the appearance of being the
picture of health, suddenly collapse from an ailment of which they were
unaware. People appearing to have a stable home suddenly are a family unit in
chaos due to some sort of fracture in their relationships. People look like
they are financially well off only to suddenly find their finances a mess and
bankruptcy a real possibility. People seem to be emotionally stable and
suddenly the “wheels” fall off their peaceful existence. They are paralyzed by
fears and incapacitated by depression. To use the expression we so often hear
today, “I did not see that one coming!”
One biblical character who displays that
collapse can occur in a world that is subject to decay is King Saul. He looked
good outwardly – handsome and bigger than his contemporaries (1 Samuel 9:2). He
was a man of privilege – chosen to be king and deliverer of Israel (9:16). He was
recognized as leader by the majority of the people (10:24). He accomplished
great things by leading his nation to victory and rallying the nation around
him (11:11-15). He looked like a healthy king. The problem is that he was
flawed in his inner life. There was a disease that caused him to decay as king
until God determined to replace him. Saul’s problem was that he was not a man
after God’s own heart which is manifested by obedience to God (13:14). Saul was
all about outward appearances, but God was all about inward allegiances to Him.
The collapse of Saul was announced by the judge and prophet Samuel (15:22-23)
saying, “You rejected the word of the Lord and He has rejected you.” What a
collapse – from the one chosen by God to the one rejected by him.
Lest one become complacent or conceited
about their standing with God, the Apostle Paul issues a warning. As he looks
at other collapsed lives he writes, “Now these things happened to them as
examples and were written down as warnings for us… So the one who thinks he is
standing firm should be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). Too
often we look at those who have collapsed with contempt rather than with
concern, compassion, a cautious reminder.
Living in a world subject to decay should
alert us to the reality that a collapse may occur. While it may surprise us at
its suddenness, the possibility should not shock us. As Paul says, “Be
careful.” On the days I walk past the tree where the branch collapsed and see
the decayed spot, I ask myself, “Have I allowed decay in any area of my life
that will foster a future collapse?” That tree is good visual reminder. Oh, and as I walk, I do so cautiously!
