This tree has been hanging in a window in the home where I lived for as long as I can remember. The senior pastor at the church I grew up in gave this to my mother. I have always loved it. Recently, she asked if I wanted it in my house. Now, just like at her home, it hangs in my kitchen window.
This tree is made up of seven different colored circles. In the Bible, the number seven is often representative of perfection or completion. When I look at this tree I am reminded of growth. Since it came from my childhood pastor, it has always made me think of spiritual growth. As I got older, I began to think about the different colors as different ways that we grow in our relationship with God.
Blue=That moment in your life where you made the decision to start following God in the first place makes a solid foundation for the rest of your spiritual growth.
Green-The moments in your faith where God stretched you and prepared you for something new the Lord had for you. Pink-The people in your life that have modeled God's love for you, and grace on some occasions, drawing you nearer to the identity of God.
Mustard yellow-The moments in life when you were confused, felt lost or worried. However, God showed you the way and in the end you received growth and clarity.
Red-The days you were in physical or emotional pain, but God carried you through it, and you grew in your relationship with the Lord.
Light Yellow-The people over the years who helped bring clarity to the Scriptures and taught you about God in a variety of ways.
Clear-Those moments when you heard God's voice speaking loud and clear to you, and you responded with a great pull and passion even when there was fear and apprehension.
I do not know if all of these colors are on your tree. Maybe, you have even more of a variety of ways that you have grown in your spiritual walk with God. However, may we all reflect on our relationship with God today, how we have drawn nearer to the Lord over the years and pray to keep growing in the days before us.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18).