THE RELIGION CORNER: Acorns vs. Oak Trees – Which Are You?

Lyndia Grant

by Lyndia Grant
Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer

As I listened to a sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes recently, he used the metaphor of the oak tree and how it is destined to grow, starting from a tiny acorn, and he talked about those acorns that never become oak trees.

Acorns do have more than one purpose; billions of them grow into strong oak trees all around the world, yet each oak tree grows enough acorns to grow a forest, and, no, every acorn will not become an oak tree.

According to Peter Gosling, tree consultant, the average oak tree will produce about 6.5 – 13.5 million seeds/acorns during its lifetime, and in a good year, each will produce between 70,000 – 150,000 acorns.

This metaphor is not for everybody…it is only for those of you whom God has destined to grow into an oak tree.  Because as you can see, the oak tree is a leader, producing millions and billions more acorns per tree; that means a lot.  That’s a leader.

Let’s use your life as a tiny oak tree plant; you feel a burning desire to achieve the goal you were sent here to achieve. You who know, without a shadow of doubt that you will reach your goal; this metaphor is to encourage you.

Will each acorn become an oak tree?  No. Why not, you ask?  Squirrels eat as many of them as they can, they will store others, and they come back and get some more. Approximately 80 percent of acorn seeds are destroyed by insects, so, you see, God has a plan. The strong oak tree is not for every acorn.

For those of us who do begin to grow, remind yourself that in order for you to someday become that strong and tall oak tree that produces millions of acorns to help feed part of the animal kingdom, you must first become determined you will make it through those days when it is all you can do to take the storms, the sleet and snow.

There will be storms of life that come along for each of us, just like those storms that come along and nearly destroy the tiny little oak tree plant. But when you think of how blessed you are to grow into an oak tree, your soul ought to cry out, “Hallelujah, thank you Lord!”

Hold on. The storm will surely pass over. When it’s your time and it’s your season, keep fertilizing your goal, watering and protecting your little plant.

Let us take a look at some scriptures:  Psalms 119:136 says “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 2 Corinthians 9:10 says Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;).

Each and every oak tree currently on the face of this Earth began merely as a tiny little acorn plant, and in order for you to reach your destiny, or the pinnacle of your success, you must grow step-by-step too, just as the scriptures say you will.

My own calling is a perfect example. If you’ve read my column, you know how poor my family was when we were children in rural North Carolina, with no heat, no electricity, no TV, no telephone, no toilet. You know the drill. Yet God has chosen me to grow as one of his oak trees; that I’m certain about. And I’m so happy that I have humbly answered His call and continue to do so. Each and every week, I write this column for you to read. Amen!

Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist. She can be contacted at 202-263-4621 and via email at lyndiagrant@gmail.com. Visit her new website at http://www.lyndiagrant.com and hear previous radio shows on https://soundcloud.com/pro/purchased/pro. Listen Fridays at 6 p.m. to her talk show on WYCB (1340 AM), a Radio One station.