Built for Struggle.

A majestic eagle perches atop its nest, nestled securely among the branches of a Jeffrey Pine, unafraid of the coming storm.

---

Have you heard of the Big Bear Eagle Nest cam, where you can watch an eagle couple named Jackie and Shadow go about their daily life? Each season, they build a nest and attempt another go at being parents. A recent post about the couple depicted a worrisome storm, but the creator, Ahonee Howard, urged her viewers not to worry because Jackie had built her nest atop a Jefferey Pine. Saying in the voice of Jackie, "I'm in a Jeffrey Pine. They're literally designed to flex instead of panic."

This got me curious about the nature of a Jefferey Pine.

Here are some stats from my Google search:

• Fire Resistant

  • Their bark is insulated and fire-resistant. If a fire does hit the tree, the bark sheds to extinguish the flame and prevent damage. They shed lower branches, which prevents fires from reaching their crown.

• Drought-tolerant and Cold Hardy

  • Their taproot goes deep, and the roots spread out far and wide to ensure they can access water even when it is deep underground or far away. They crown early and go dormant sooner to prevent winter damage.

• Thrive in Poor Environments

  • They grow in harsh, rocky climates and at high altitudes, and tolerate acidic soils with poor nutrients. As a survival mechanism, using their natural flexibility (from cellulose/lignin) and the swaying motion, they absorb wind energy, preventing breakage. The harsh climates help shape the trees to be even more resilient.

• Need Fire to Reproduce

  • Though the trees themselves are fire-resistant, their pinecones must go through fire to open up and release new seeds. The fire prunes and clears the underbrush to allow sunlight in for the new seeds to grow.

• Adapatable

  • Jeffery Pines can grow in almost any environment, from deserts to meadows to rocky cliffs, and adapt well to a multitude of conditions.

It reminds me a great deal of Jeremiah 17:7-8

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit."

Sound familiar? It sounds a lot like the description of the Jeffrey Pine. As Christians, we are being transformed into the likeness and image of Christ every day. The more we study and read, the more we engage with the Holy Spirit, grow in our relationship with the Bible, meditate, and are obedient to the words contained therein, the more we can stand strong and steady no matter what life throws at us!

Christians, like the Jeffrey Pine, are built for struggle!

When we trust in God and have confidence in His wisdom, we thrive where others are overcome.

Reflection:

This week, take stock of the past year. In what ways were you like the Jeffrey Pine? In what ways do you still need to grow in your steadiness and trust in God? Did you read and meditate on God's word, or did you dabble in it here and there? What areas can you improve on in your relationship with God so that you have more confidence in Him and the Holy Spirit?