“As a twig is bent, so the tree will grow,” says an old proverb, but some trees seem determined to grow.
And they keep growing, with roots that split boulders, or sprout from stumps, or through the outer shells of dead or decaying trees. Or despite erosion that strips away soil to leave their roots almost fully exposed.
Windblown terrain prevents trees from growing vertically, and espaliered trees follow wires or frames to enhance their beauty or make their fruit more accessible.
So, the proverb arose from seeing long-term effects of factors beyond our control.
The proverb compares trees with how ‘bent twig’ events from our childhood can affect our maturity.
We all bear their influence, but unlike trees that are literally rooted to one place, we have God-given freedom to keep us from reliving them or allowing them to define us.
Some folks abuse this freedom by fabricating self-images that deny any bent twig times, never suspecting that the truth will eventually dismantle their facades.
In giving us freedom to choose our future, God invites us to trust him to lead us towards it.
This invitation began through Jesus, who brought healing and hope to those with bent twigs, releasing them from any seeds of self-pity and into the beauty he designed for them.
With his teaching focused on God always being available in the most difficult times and among the most difficult people, he still offers the invitation to start again.
And people with all kinds of ‘bent twig’ pain have accepted his invitation.
Nicky Cruz was a dreaded New York gangland leader who became a pastor to the gangs he had led and fought against so viciously.
Another bent twig was John Newton, a slave trader who was transformed by the Amazing Grace he described in a song that is now loved worldwide.
It was soon after his resurrection that Jesus offered a new start to Saul, who was a hired religious assassin – a definite bent twig.
Accepting this offer turned Saul the assassin into Paul, the apostle who began starting and building the churches that he had sworn to obliterate.
Quite the turnaround, which keeps on happening as we allow God’s grace into our bent twigs.
Then we may begin to help any bent twig people in our circles of influence to grow free of cynicism or self-pity and discover how beautiful their lives can be.
Noel Mitaxa
On behalf of a church near you, inviting you to explore God’s love
