When you travel to Israel as a follower of Jesus, you expect that God is going to get your attention. I expected to have my faith challenged … but I didn’t expect to be challenged by a shrub.
On the second day I was there, I was in the Judaea wilderness near the oasis of Ein-Gedi and I literally stumbled onto this plant.
Considering it was 110 degree in the middle of a hard desert, this lush, green shrub got my attention. And as I looked closer, I saw there was fruit the size of a softball growing from the branches.
To a thirsty, hot traveller in the desert, this tree seems like a blessing. It leaves are healthy and green, and the fruit looks refreshing and full of life. But when I opened the fruit, it let out a puff of hot air and dust, and inside it was hollow and dry. The only thing inside the fruit was stringy, inedible webs that secreted a milky juice the local Bedouins warn is poisonous. A bedouin woman told me not to touch my eyes after holding the fruit because I would go blind!
The fruit looks great on the outside, but is lifeless and dry on the inside.
This plant is called an arara. This is what the prophet Jeremiah was referring to when he wrote: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength … They are like stunted shrubs (arara) in the desert, with no hope for the future.” (Jeremiah 17:5-6).
It’s easy for us to become like the arara fruit. On the surface we might look like we’re healthy and have got it all together … but unless we are close to God, we will be dry, hollow and lifeless on the inside.
This shrub challenged me because I don’t want to be an arara. I don’t want to be an arara in my Christian walk. I don’t want to be an arara as a husband. I don’t want to be an arara as a dad. I don’t want to be an arara as a pastor.
What about you?
What are you doing today to ensure you’re healthy on the inside as well as refreshing and life-giving on the outside to those around you?
I believe that you are God’s child and he knows you just because you acknowledged him in such a way and reached out to others to encourage them to consider Christ is proof that you are filled. It reminds me of the moment Jesus ask the disciples “Who do you say I am?” and Peter responds, “You are the Christ!” and Jesus responds “No one could have revealed this unto you but the Father,” which was proof that God walked with Peter.
I will continue to pray and read the word of God no matter how tired I am. Even if it’s a short time, I will still pray.. If not, I will pray in the shower, walking to the train station or in the train to work. Get myself refreshed by worship when I am down through the day. I will be able to help even pray for others during the day when I’m needed.
And I thought I loved the Instagram posts? I love the pictures, I love your teaching, I thank God for you!
Hope that I can continue to encourage you Sharon.
Great message and visual! We must always remember that the inside, our heart, is what matters to God and manifests in our interaction with people making us witnesses for Christ.
Totally agree!
This was such a powerful message to me. Beautiful images. Thank you.
Glad it encouraged you!
Oh boy oh boy oh boy! This is so good! What’s the verse in the Bible about when you think you’re standing be careful because you’re about to fall. Keep me humble God help me to remember that I am nothing without you.
Nothing outdated about this wonderful insight.
What a unique experience that many of us have never had.
How blessed to see this early in your trip.
Many “little” words such as arara lose their power, when we remain unaware of their intended impact.
Thanks!