TREE SHAKER– by Stephanie White

…They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61:3 NIV

We are the Lord’s planting; He planted us so we can display His splendor! SPLENDOR: to gleam, embellish; also to explain (i.e. make clear) oneself; to shake a tree:--beautify, boast self, glorify self, vaunt self.

We’re His planting, His fruit, and we’re meant to boast about Him. He wants to vaunt or make His beauty known through us. He wants to explain to the world who He is through us.

Did you notice “shake a tree--beautify” is part of the definition of splendor? Wonder why? During storms trees shake, and in the process the dead leaves and rotten fruit are blown away—that’s what He wants to do to you! He wants to use the storms of life to shake the dead stuff (the fruit of the flesh) off of you. In doing so, He makes you more beautiful! Don’t fight the storm! Let the storm do its perfect work in you.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a year of drought or not, you can still display God’s splendor. Some of the most beautiful displays of God’s splendor happen when people are in the tough times. If you watch someone go through a trial focused on the Lord, it is a thing of beauty; so, plant yourself by the water and stretch out your roots! Water yourself in the drought. Jesus is the living Water and He is the Word; let Him display His splendor in you! You are His planting!

Stephanie is from Ohio and she loves to spend time with her church and her family. She is passionate about sharing God’s love with others. Contact