Tropism...

We had set out for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge to summit Dog Mountain. The trail offers scenic views of the Columbia River, winding pathways through forest lines, beautiful flowered meadows and from the summit at certain points you can see Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and on a clear day – the top of Rainier. The sights that day were quite beautiful – proclaiming the handiwork of the Creator. There was one sight that stopped us in our tracks and gave us pause. It had nothing to do with the fore mentioned sweeping views. We were ascending through the wooded hillside, walking through tall pine trees. There it stood. A single small maple tree glorying itself in the full ray of sun that shone down through the canopy of the pines that surrounded it.

This little tree had altered its growth in defiance of its surroundings to find what it needed to continue growth. A perfect example of tropism – growth in response to an environmental stimulus (here it is phototropism – growth toward the light). Its tropistic response is a matter of life or death. I find certain aspects of this somewhat amazing. That little tree exhibits resilience, determination, persistence, strength, and perseverance.

I think people can also exhibit tropism. The ‘environment of life’ provides a multitude of struggles for our emotional and spiritual growth. We find ourselves needing to respond with the same traits that little tree possessed – resilience, determination, persistence, perseverance and strength. We need to reach for that which will help us grow in defiance of what threatens. Just as that little tree reached for the rays of light that allowed it to continue to grow – we need to stretch heavenward, glorying in the rays of Hope, turning toward the Light. This tropistic response of our souls will ensure life…eternal.

Psalm 119:130   The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Isaiah 58:8   Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;

John 8:12   "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."