Men are often likened to trees in the Bible. Among these depictions is the comparison of a virtuous person to a tree of life. The Book of Proverbs makes this comparison several times (3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4). On the first occasion, the tree of life is not a person, but a personified quality of wisdom, “She [wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.” The next occurrence (11:30) says that the righteous person’s “fruits” are a “tree of life.” Thus, the individual who treats others justly is someone who dispenses life, energy, and power to others. The final time the tree of life passage occurs in Proverbs 15:4, which says that the person who has a gentile tongue is a tree of life to others. 

Every day I think about how I can make a meaningful impact on those to whom my branches extend. I want to make a difference in my home, my school, and my community so that I leave it better than I found it. These proverbs tell me that I can be this tree of life in my community if I can grant wisdom, justice, and gentle words to those whom I encounter. However, I would still ultimately fail to be a tree of life if I am not “firmly rooted…in Christ” (Col 2:7).  He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). I am praying that all of us will be trees of righteousness (Isa 61:3) in our communities and will choose to let the power of Christ course through us, giving life to everyone we meet.