Rolling From the Apple Tree
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
According to Wictionary.org the meaning of that is, “A child grows up to be similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.”
This statement can be meant to be positive or negative. Sometimes people say it in reference to a baby resembling one or the other parent, which is a nice compliment. Other times, people say it as an insult to hurt someone.
For the apple to stay close to the tree would mean it continues to stay in the same path as the tree. It looks like where it came from, tastes like where it came from and can easily be identified because it hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
The apple here is a metaphor for people. If we stick close to those around us before long we begin to act and sound just like them, thereby making, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”a very true statement.
Hurtful words cause us to hurt others. If we are treated badly, we’ll treat others badly. If we are talked to negatively, we’ll talk to others negatively. We become a bruised, sour apple and we make more bruised, sour apples in the people we come in contact with.
Sure, we make mistakes. However, if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we begin to act and sound just like Him. If we read His Word and follow His teachings, we will become more like Him. Let Jesus into your life. Listen to His Words. He can take the bruised apple and make it smooth. He can take the sour apple and make it sweet.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” ~Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV)
Very often the negative people in our lives try to keep us banged up and bruised in order to keep themselves from facing the truth of their own lives. But you can change your life. By following Jesus, you can have a new life. Sweeter. Different. Better.
Yes, I fell from the tree. Bumped, bruised, and battered, I rolled. My roots tried to roll me back time and time again, always attempting to engage me in things I once said and did. Many times, defeated I rolled back, more bruised, more battered. I would go back into more hurt, more depression, more hopelessness.
One time though, I didn’t roll back. One time I rolled all the way down the hill, away from the roots, and let Jesus smooth me out, and sweeten me up. Trust me, once you roll down the hill, away from the tree, you can’t roll back up the hill again and you won’t want to.
Don’t misunderstand, people will remember your past, but it doesn’t have to affect you negatively. Once Jesus heals you and smooths you out, you’re not the same person anymore and no one can hold you to your past unless you let them. Instead, choose to be a new, sweeter apple.
The next time you hear, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,”you’ll know that it does if it rolls down the hill and away from the bitter roots.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” ~ Zechariah 2:8 (NKJV)
You are the apple of His eye. Nothing or no one can change that. You are chosen, hand-picked by God, and you are loved.
