trees, wind, and family

I am incredibly blessed to be able to participate in our church worship team. It is a dream come true for me. The worship team members have been welcoming and supportive of me, the newcomer. I find them easy to get along with, low-key, and helpful.

We do have challenges, though: from the usual technical hiccups (that I am convinced are prayed in for the personal holiness of our AV techs), to the busy schedules of many of the team members. The fact that any of us show up and have a set ready each week is nothing short of the grace of God.

We have misunderstandings sometimes, too. Little things that can feel like slights if left to fester without treatment. Our very own font of wisdom (and many times, humor) reminded me recently that “We make comments like family because we work so closely week in and week out. We get so comfortable we sometimes say things like real siblings.” This was a comforting insight and a reminder to do what the Bible says: treat your fellow Christians as family. Family are people we’re in the long haul with, people we lean on, people we go through stuff with, and not just the easy stuff. Family can have real staying power when we lean in instead of pull back.

If you don’t know about the “Biosphere 2” project, I encourage you to check it out. It is a real-life sci-fi story and it is fascinating! As I was reflecting on my experiences on the worship team, a detail from the project came to mind: trees need wind. Without wind, trees do not develop “stress wood” and they cannot stand up under their own weight. Stress wood is developed by the consistent pressure of wind against their form as they grow.

Small, everyday conflicts between people can be like the wind that helps us develop our own stress wood. Many times I avoid conflict* at all costs. But as I grow and become more of me, the space between a triggering event and my response expands. Instead of reacting instantly to the perceived conflict, there is a moment to choose what I will do next. The more I can take a moment, the more opportunity I have to reach out to the Holy Spirit and trust God.

Developing “stress wood” is helping me understand that conflict is not a cosmic warning for me to run the other direction or lock myself in a bunker. I fail a lot, but that means I am practicing, and practicing is how I get better. I do need one other thing, though: a TON of grace. Grace from those I have offended or run away from, grace from my friends and family, and grace from God. With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.

Friend, if I have offended or hurt you, lean into the wind and let me know.

Holy Spirit, help me make it right, I’m afraid, but I know you’ve got me.

*This is very funny because I have caused a lot of conflict in my lifetime. Bless my heart!

Cups