Like Dragon Trees [Part 2]

Psalm 90:12 -- "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." [NASB]

Underneath the blazing sun on rocky crags - underneath the blessed sparse shade of the Dragon Tree on the island of Soqotra - tiny little puffs of green cling to a harsh life. 

image: globaltrees.org

With spiny fingers outstretched, the Blood Dragon Tree grabs moisture from sea mists that come in off the Indian Ocean. On an island that sees little rain - plant life has to be creative in order to obtain water for thirsty roots. An umbrella shaped canopy of tightly packed waxy spiny leaves gives the Dragon Tree an advantage. Since the rain won't fall to the ground, the tree reaches up toward the sky and takes it from the clouds.

Little is lost to the air and the ground within the dense mass of branches above the Dragon Tree's trunk. Any droplets it collects slowly roll down toward the center of the tree. Very rarely will dew drops escape and fall the the dry earth below. But it is those very rare losses in a parched landscape that afford enough water for other plants to grow. Scrub grass huddles closely to the umbrella shade and drinks up every single droplet that falls to the ground. Underneath the budding canopy, the grass is rescued from a burning sun and escapes being scorched. 

It's safe to say that without the Blood Dragon Tree, these few clumps of scrub grass wouldn't thrive. The grass would have no water and it certainly would have no shade. 

Just as Paul encouraged us to be a different kind of plant on this Earth in his letter to the Romans, the writer of Psalm 92 encourages us to be mindful of our days upon it. Do we allow enough dew drops to fall from our branches onto a thirsty world? Are we wise with our use of spiritual nourishment? 

You will see that a Blood Dragon Tree thriving in desert terrain does not waste what little water it manages to collect. But it will also encourage the growth of other plant life with its unique use of spiny leaves. From the wide green fingers making its own umbrella, life-giving moisture falls to the dust on the rocks underneath and feeds the very thirsty roots of others.

In our lush green free country that offers an abundance of nourishment we often take for granted, are we being wasteful with the blessings God has afforded? Do we take everything we can from our Christian brethren at church? At Bible study? From our praise music? Do we share what we glean from these encounters?

I want to be like the Dragon Tree - with its fingers outstretched to collect the graces of our Lord - to grow and flower in a dry dusty land - so that I can share that amazing life-saving grace with those that so desperately need it.