Pecan

Our Redwood tree blew down in 2002. Since then six new trees have taken it's place and they are over 100 feet high. Beside the Redwood is the Pecan tree. It has grown taller in competition with the Redwood. In the plant world sunlight is important. A plant or a tree may grow bigger than normal in search of the light from the sun.

We humans sometimes compete with each other. If we see something in another person we like, often we will compete to try to outshine them. Sometimes people will tear down another person, to make themselves look bigger or better. God wants us to grow in the light of His Son. We are not to tear down or compete, but each is to grow in His light to our full stature and maturity.

When the original Redwood fell the Pecan that was shorter, now looked very big by itself. A man of God is to stand tall in God's word encouraging those around them to reach their perfection.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

The Pecan tree is very tall and it is hard to see if it has any nuts on it, but when they fall from a squirrels hands or a bird's peck they come down to be collected. Is our fruit hard to see?

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

Sometimes the pecans are few, but every one is a treasure.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.