Thursday, March 25, 2010

stink and filth




The petals drifting to the ground at the behest of March winds resemble the closest thing to snow I'll see in south Georgia.  As beautiful as Bradford pear blossoms are outside my writing window, smelling them is an altogether different experience.  Think ammonia spilled on rotting fish.  I googled and found another blogger's thoughts on the tree:

"...the Bradford Pear tree is like sinful flesh of a not-so-serious Christian. Note:

1. It looks beautiful when in full leaf, but never bears any fruit - never.
2. In the Spring, it stinks when the leaves come out - the stench of it's glory is nauseating.
3. If it is not pruned, the branches grow into a complex system, rubbing against one another.
4. Left alone, the branches become heavy enough to split from the trunk.
5. The upper branches can only bear their own weight. No ice, snow, or wind with rain.

There are times when those who say they are Christians are eerily similar to this fruitless pear tree. Jesus said something about trees like that. Concerning a fig tree that was supposed to bear fruit, Jesus said, "...if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down." Luke 13:9"

This calls to mind another scripture stating the piteous state of what we consider our righteousness--"filthy rags." 

We have no righteousness apart from Him.  I need Him so.  I don't want to smell like a Bradford pear to my Lord.