The Survivor Tree

In downtown Oklahoma City, there stands an incredible tree – incredible because it ought to have died. Instead, it is celebrated as The Survivor Tree. Why should this tree be dead? first of all, because it is an American Elm. This species of tree was once the most popular tree in the country. Prized for their beauty, color, graceful shape, and the shade they provided; American Elms were so popular that many cities would plant nothing else along their streets. This was a mistake because their intertwined roots made them susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease which wiped out most of the trees and left many streets blighted and treeless. Yet, in the middle of a downtown parking lot, this single elm survived.

Then on April 19, 1995, a terrorist exploded a powerful bomb that destroyed the federal building across the street from this tree, killing 168 people. Again, this tree should have died, but it continued to stand amidst the rubble. Now the tree is protected. Engraved on a wall that rings The Survivor Tree, is this inscription: “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated: our deeply rooted faith sustains us.”

It is unfortunate that it so often takes a tragedy to remind us of our “deeply rooted faith,” and yet amazing that time and again we find it. What has kept The Survivor Tree alive through so much destruction? Some people would like to personify the tree and give it credit for not letting itself be defeated. They see it as a symbol that we should never give in or give up. Although I am inspired by this tree, I do not believe that the tree is the hero.  Instead, I view the tree as a promise from God, who gives life to both trees and people. I see it as an illustration of Ephesians 2:1-10.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (verses 1-3)

Like an American Elm, you were living with your roots entwined with those of the rest of the world so that as they became infected with sin and separation from God, you too, became vulnerable to spiritual disease, and you deserved to die. Not only were you spiritually diseased, but you also passed that disease on to others.

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (verses 4-5)

But because God loved you, he gave you life when you should have experienced death. He did not do this because you deserved it. There is nothing heroic about you clinging to faith. Rather, God has clung to you. This is a gift.

 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (verses 6-7)

Just as God has kept The Survivor Tree alive as a symbol of his love and grace, you are also a symbol, showing to the world how good and kind he is.

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (verses 8-9)

You are not better than others because you are spiritually alive, and they are not. God made you alive as a gift and not as an obligation.

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (verse 10)

God’s gift has a purpose. Now, like The Survivor Tree, you are to be an inspiration and symbol to others of what God can do. Rejoice, if you are living!