Pinecone People

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

I love my Christmas tree. This is my fifth Christmas living on my own, but only the first where I actually decided to put up and decorate a tree! All trees are different, but I like mine best – it has pink and gold ornaments, lights, gold tinsel, a big bow on top, and pinecones EVERYWHERE.

I was thinking about my Christmas tree tonight and wondered – what actually is the purpose of pinecones? We always see them on the ground, but why did God create them? Turns out, the purpose of a pinecone is to keep a pine trees seeds safe. That’s why in winter, you’ll find closed-up pinecones; they’re keeping the seeds safe from the cold weather and the wind. They also close up to protect the seeds from being eaten by wild animals. In Spring, you’ll find open pinecones, when the seeds can actually grow.

Learning this made me smile because I was reminded of the way our Father totally transforms the lives of His people. Much like a pinecone opens up in Spring, the Lord opens up our eyes, hearts, and minds through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Eyes:

“But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles – to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Acts 26:15-18

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” – Psalm 119:18

Hearts:

“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us saying ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” – Acts 16:14-16

Minds:

“Then he said to them [His Disciples] ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:44-45

What I also love about the pinecone is the fact that after it’s “shell” is opened in Spring, it’s seeds are spread out upon the earth. It reminds me of the Great Commission– once our hearts are opened to the Word of the Lord, we are to ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” – Mark 16:15. Like a pinecone, we can’t spread what brings people joy until our “shell” is opened, but once it is, what a wonderful ‘ripple effect’ comes from it!

 

Written by Erin Culleny: Erin Culleny served for four years as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

---

Think About This: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you.” – Michael W. Smith

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.