Roots, birds and wood pile

Let me introduce to you three symbols that left some impressions on me, about the way we are called to live.

1. Roots. 

The root of a tree was the central decoration in the lawn of a house. This friend who collected this from a river bed spoke to us about its history of life- its foliage which may have been fodder for animals; its branches a home for birds and shade for humans; its fruits, which later would have become seeds; its cleansing presence in the atmosphere absorbing carbon dioxide and giving away oxygen and its end either by men felling it or falling naturally, in both cases disappearing from visibility to oblivion, except that the wood would have been used in building a house, boat, farm, furniture, etc.  Finally the root was left abandoned till, someone remembered its history and decided to give it an honorable place, for visitors to be reminded of its earlier existence. 

Roots speak of history. We as humans too have a history,conception, birth, life and death. The tree was self giving and it gave away all it had. That is why we are also created for. To give away what God has formed in our lives. Many around us are waiting for us to become a resource for their well being. It is a call for living to touch others with our kindness and goodwill.

2. Bird house. 

While walking along a natural forest,  we noticed several such bird houses, placed on trees to attract sparrows. With urbanization, sparrows are almost becoming extinct. The sparrows are scavengers around human dwellings  and keep the environment from other pests. The sparrows now can nest in these houses; so they are not displaced from our vicinity. 

There is a message for us in this symbol. We as humans are becoming more aggressive, demanding, and acquisitive. We seek for visibility, recognition, and popularity. There is an instinct of  self promotion resident in our lives. 

What the sparrows represent is the opposite of this.The sparrows are symbols of gentle presence and quiet service. They suffer being displaced and becoming extinct. Its habitat is disturbed. The cities have no bushes left in places of human dwellings for them to make their nest. In spite of these, they continue their mission of service. I wish, we could feel challenged by this example of serving, 'without counting the cost'and do so even in intimidating circumstances.   

     

3.  Wood pile.

This protected wood pile at the bed of a lake is to let insects, which are likely to be extinct, to live, reproduce and multiply. According to a display on the site about 200 species of insects are preserved by letting them live and multiply in these wood piles. Some of the insects who live in these piles of wood are tiny that you can notice them only when they move. These insects may or may not  have a significant contributory role in the environment. Yet, they are remembered.

What strikes me from its symbolism is that the least amongst us are often marginalized or ignored or forgotten. That is true of people groups; economically, socially or physically disadvantaged people; or people who live reduced lives. It is only as much as there is visible, beneficial and pro-active care for such people, any society can claim to be on a journey for honoring its people for their dignity.  The human dignity is a shared character with the creator God, for 'we are made in the likeness of God' to represent His moral character and loving nature.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)