"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven."

Like my new look? Me, too. See that picture? I took it yesterday. It was cold...I was on my way to prayer and this was the second stop-in-the-middle-of-the-road I made on my way.

I love this tree. I see it everytime I take this particular street to get to church. (There are several back-road ways to get to our church...I know them all.) I just thought it was particularly beautiful...raw, naked...a striking contrast against the newly fallen white powdery stuff.

Then I thought...that's the way WE should be. In the world, I mean. As Believers, we should be a striking contrast against the hue of this world; don't you think? Our lives should be readily seen from a distance, much like this tree, it should stand out; cause people to take a second look after that first glance. We should be turning heads.

I am finding myself struggling with standing out. With becoming a risk taker. I cringe at the thought of another rejection, at the sight of a really puzzled look or the sound of someone giggling at my words or actions. That blank stare as I am speaking about something I am passionate about...no one "catching the vision".

There was a time in my life when it REALLY mattered if what I did met the approval of someone I was trying to impress. And I was ALWAYS trying to impress SOMEONE. That was a different time. A far away place I thought I had traveled past. Apparently not. Maybe I was just on really big turnstyle. A circle I never noticed. Now it dawns on me that the one person I should be trying to "impress" is Jesus. Just Jesus. Like the saying goes: I am singing for "an audience of ONE."

Yeah...way back when it was about my singing. Sometimes it still is...when I hear little comments not really meant for my ears, or comments directed at me which should have been worded differently. Creative people can be so sensitive sometimes! :~)

So...I look at this tree...gnarled, thick bark which protects the tender rings of growth; standing firm in the middle of an open field facing the elements of winter and standing tall and strong. I see a beautiful God-creation...with scars...with imperfections...just what God intended me to see...His beauty against a barren world. That's how we impress the masses...standing strong against the elements of this world, our Godly armor protecting the tender rings of growth in our lives, planted on a firm foundation...a stark contrast against the chaos of this world.

I need to stand out. I need to take risks. And I will. I am. For an audience of One. To reach an audience of many.