Getting by on Stony Ground

Our son and his girlfriend have been visiting us for a few days from out of state. Yesterday we went to an attraction called Rock City up on Lookout Mountain, just south of Chattanooga, TN. Lookout Mountain, as the southeastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau is the southernmost mountain of the Appalachians, and has many rather abrupt cliffs and outcroppings. Rock City consists of a number of labyrinth-like eroded passages and channels right at the edge of the abutment.

As we were walking the paths, we came around the corner and I saw a small tree, perhaps three feet high and three feet wide, growing out of a very narrow crack in the almost vertical side of the rock. I took a picture because I thought it looked interesting. As I continued down the path, I began to think of Christ’s parable of the sower and the different types of ground the seed could fall on. Of course, Christ’s application was the response of various people to the sowing of the gospel. But I could see an application of the literal story as Christ told it. Here was an example of a seed that had, indeed, fallen on stony ground.

In the long run, what are the chances for this tree? The fissure, as you can see, is quite small, not large enough to trap much debris for the formation of soil. From where will the nutrients for growth come? It is true that, given time, the roots of the tree might widen the crack slightly, but at what point will the mass of the tree overcome the ability of the roots to withstand the pull of gravity? If the crack were on a more level rock, the tree might stand a chance. But on a vertical face? No, I don’t think that, ultimately, this tree will be a successful member of the forest.

Do you suppose there are people whose situations in life could be compared to this tree? Their lot is one where they’ve ended up on stony ground, even vertical stony ground? I am sure we rub shoulders day by day with folks whose lots in life have real hardship. It may involve disease, poverty, personal relationships, or… You name it. Hard lives come in many flavors. Where will they get the nutrients that can lead to meaningful lives, to find satisfaction, to grow to the maturity promised in the seed? That may be where you and I come in.

When I look upon the children I work with at my school, I see a few that I know have very difficult times at home, for a variety of reasons. For the seven hours I have access to them during the day, how much of their lives’ “nutritional” needs can I provide? Do I serve as the soil they need so they might cling to the face of their “rock”, and, perhaps, even break free of the confines of it and succeed? Or am I more like that rock – cold, unmoving, and unnourishing? Are my neighbors, friends and family doing well, or is there someone close to me, maybe only temporarily, stuck in stony ground? Can I find ways to bring some nourishment to the soul, some soil, into their moment of perilous circumstances?

Look at the picture of the tree. Do you see, can you see, a face on that twig, rather than just leaves? What can you do about it?

Have a great day.

Dr. G