Let's Be a Tree Hugger

​“She is a tree of life to those who embrace her.” Proverbs 3:18                                                                                                                                                                      
In 1730, 294 men and 69 women of the Bishnois branch of Hinduism died while trying to protect trees in their village from being cut and milled into building materials for a palace.  They literally clung to the trees while being slaughtered by the foresters.  Fast forward to the 1970’s, when a group of peasant women in the Himalayan hills of northern India threw their arms around trees designated to be cut.  Within a few years this tactic had spread to other parts of the globe including the United States.  Despite its noble history of nonviolent resistance, “tree-hugger” is often considered a derogatory term in most circles.
The writer of Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman and likens her to a “tree of life” that is to be embraced (Proverbs 3:18).  We’re reminded in verse 13 that the man, or woman, who finds wisdom is blessed, also translated happy.  With wisdom comes understanding.  Wisdom is more profitable than silver and brings a better return than gold.  Having wisdom is a top priority.  1 Corinthians 1:24 csb tells us, “Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger that human strength.” When you find Jesus, you find the source of all wisdom.  In Him is God’s wisdom and power.  Until, through faith, you find a relationship with Jesus, life won’t really make sense.  This is the path to long life, which in the New Testament, is eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlastingl life.” John 3:16. Here you’ll find the tree of life…the Cross, embrace it!
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