IN OUR FRONT YARD STANDS AN OLIVE TREE. Apart from spring-time pollen, I like olive trees. Their branches intertwine and have, as my wife would say, character. During my recent vacation I took some time to give the tree a much-needed trim, and in the process learned a lesson or two.
To take a look at the specimen in my front yard you might guess that it’s a tough old bugger. The bark is rough, and craggy; rub up against it and it will leave a light abrasion on your skin. But put your foot against it to climb up its trunk and you will quickly discover that craggy old bark is very thin, and hidden just under it is a softer, greener, skin.
As I contemplated the bark of the tree I thought of those I know who seem rather rough and craggy on the outside, much like our olive tree. And, like our tree, that craggy and rough surface is very thin. Underneath they are people who are vulnerable. To put it another way, their roughness is only skin deep. The problem is that we can believe that their scruffiness is really who they are and in the process never really get to know the person who lies just beneath the surface.
I suppose that is why the Lord gave us the directive to love one another as we have been loved by Him. (John 13:34) Jesus knew what we all needed, no matter what kind of bark we show to the world around us, we need to be loved.
So, let us love.