Like Dragon Trees [Part 1]

Romans 12:2 -- "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." [NLT]

Image: Michael Melford - National  Geographic

Stark, dry land provided the perfect surface for the shadows cast by the clouds. Rolling over some of the rockiest and driest earth on the planet. The dancing puffs of white over head only tease the thirsty landscape. It doesn't really rain in this desert. 


Jagged granite mountain terrain is not where you might expect to find a flowering tree. In fact, on limestone plateaus and sheer rock faces regularly beaten by high winds - you might not expect to find any vegetation at all growing - much less thriving. The plain truth is that customary plant life would die if attempting to root on the very isolated island of Soqotra. ...Which is one reason the Blood Dragon Tree is so very special. 

Flowering Dragon Tree - Image: arkive.org

The thickly trunked umbrella shaped Dragon Tree doesn't "think" like other plants. It can't. It would die. Instead of copying the behavior of other vegetation this amazing tree reaches up toward the teasing clouds with spiny fingers that shade its roots from a blazing sun. With a tightly packed canopy of dark green, the Blood Dragon Tree catches tiny droplets of water that roll in on sea mists from the Indian Ocean. And on these miniscule forms of moisture - the tree grows. And flowers. For a very long time. 

Where other life would tuck tail and run, this phenomenal desert tree knows that life on Soqotra can be good and pleasing and perfect. But it sure didn't arrive at that pleasing place by behaving like the other plants of this world. Nope. It is very, very different. There is no other plant on this earth quite like it. Its flowers aren't colorful. Its branches don't - well, branch out. It grows on rocks covered with a little bit of dust. It even bleeds. The highly sought-after sap is so red that island locals call it the blood of the dragon. Hence the name: Blood Dragon Tree. 

I wonder if Paul knew about this tree. I think he'd be pleased. In Romans 12 he urges we followers of Jesus NOT to copy the behaviors of those around us. He encourages us to change our entire way of thinking. Now THAT can be difficult. After all - it truly IS hard to teach an old dog new tricks. But nobody knew that better than Paul. His words can encourage and inspire us not only because they are good words, but because we know that Paul has walked the very rocky path to change, himself. He can personally vouch for the good and pleasing will of God. He grew into a person like no other on this planet. And man - his flowers really took! Providing seeds that kept on giving and giving and giving. 

Now THAT is what I want to do. I want to be like the Blood Dragon Tree.