Ute Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado
NOT the Circle of Life!
I know the scientific fact that this dead tree is decomposing and feeding the living tree. I get it. But what these two trees depict is more than Elton John singing the Circle of Life.
Death is a terrible intrusion into our lives. It has the habit of taking someone from us whom we love and cherish. Death is not fair, and yet as close as these living and dead tree are to each other, so is death to life.
There is a reason why Paul told the Romans to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). It is because we as Christians don't have to sugarcoat death. It is a baneful reality in our lives.
Yet just as real is the promise of life.
"Your dead will come back to life; your corpses will rise up. Wake up and shout joyfully, you who live in the ground! For you will grow like plants drenched with the morning dew, and the earth will bring forth its dead spirits." Isaiah 26:19 New English Translation
Paul also told the Romans to "rejoice with those who rejoice."
I don't expect to see this dead tree planted firmly next to the living one next time I hike Ute Park. However, I fully expect to be planted next to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are raised on the day of Jesus' return. He has conquered death.
That is more than the Circle of Life.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013Douglas P. Brauner. ARR
Death is a terrible intrusion into our lives. It has the habit of taking someone from us whom we love and cherish. Death is not fair, and yet as close as these living and dead tree are to each other, so is death to life.
There is a reason why Paul told the Romans to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). It is because we as Christians don't have to sugarcoat death. It is a baneful reality in our lives.
Yet just as real is the promise of life.
"Your dead will come back to life; your corpses will rise up. Wake up and shout joyfully, you who live in the ground! For you will grow like plants drenched with the morning dew, and the earth will bring forth its dead spirits." Isaiah 26:19 New English Translation
Paul also told the Romans to "rejoice with those who rejoice."
I don't expect to see this dead tree planted firmly next to the living one next time I hike Ute Park. However, I fully expect to be planted next to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are raised on the day of Jesus' return. He has conquered death.
That is more than the Circle of Life.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013
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