When I was in Kauai, Hawaii, my family and I went on a beautiful hiking trail up to the mountains. When
we almost reached the top, we spotted a very interesting tree. It had a soft, smooth, sponge-like bark all around the trunk of the tree. Some people called it the “paper tree” because the bark was soft and white and could be pulled off in large sections like a piece of paper. I took some bark to take home as a souvenir, but my father said, “Don’t take too much, you could hurt the tree.” I began to think of how important the function of bark is to a tree.
The bark is the outer covering of the woody stems, branches or roots, and the main trunk of trees. It provides food, nourishment and protection to the trees. The bark transports nourishment to other parts of the tree, and tiny openings in the bark allow movement of carbon dioxide and oxygen to and from the inner tissues.
Bark is even important to human beings. Certain types of bark are used as seasonings for food and for medicine. Bark has been used for a variety of purposes such as boat building, the manufacture of clothing, shoes, and various fibers and materials. Some people survived times of war and famine simply by chewing on tree bark for sustenance.
Without a covering of bark, a tree would surely die. Insects and bacteria would easily enter the tree and destroy it. There would be no protection from the harsh sun, wind or from animals.
There are lessons that we can learn from the bark and the tree. As the tree needs the outer protection and nourishment of the bark for its survival, so we too need the outer protection of our Heavenly Father in our daily struggles of life. We desperately need the “spiritual food and water” of God. He can supply all our needs, both physical and spiritual. God covers and surrounds us with His love and watchcare. Without God’s protection, we would surely be overwhelmed by the temptations and sins of this world. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1). Our Father in Heaven can help us overcome any obstacles that may come our way. And the more that we grow with God, the stronger we shall be, just like a tree and its bark. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalms 1:3). We can be victorious Christians, standing tall and strong as a tree, surrounding by the life-giving protection of God.
Ly Lan Nguyen
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