The cure for ills in human nature is found in nature, says a top inspirational analyst and New Thought spiritual teacher. Rev. Dr. Vanzant also lends her time and talents to inspire Atlanta’s Hillside International Truth Center’s members and friends each month during the 2nd Sunday morning worship inspiration.
“Be a tree and know that your roots have been divinely planted and deeply anchored,” Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant told the listeners and viewers via the virtual platform of “Hillside International Truth Center https://hillsideinternational.org/.
In her iconic style of blending life’s metaphors inside of truth-telling, Rev. Dr. Vanzant linked cures for the pandemic’s disruptions to the perennial plant, the tree. She cast a spotlight on the tree, which represents “powerful symbols of growth and resurrection.
There are more than 60,000 different species of trees, Rev. Dr. Vanzant correlated the variety of trees to the cultural differences around the world. Representing life, wisdom, power and prosperity, trees are considered nature’s “Holy observers” by philosophers in certain cultures. She
She “dared” her viewers to adopt the characteristics of a tree, which are found in its grand composition listed as:
- Root
- Trunk
- Leaves
- Fruit
By coming “alive season after season,” Rev. Dr. Vanzant speaks to the tree as the backbone of humankind. That is, the tree as the example to men, women and children, demonstrates how to withstand the cold winds of winter and the tenacity to ‘hang in there’ to welcome the spring. Spring is where optimism blooms.
As an avid reader, listener, learner and doer of Rev. Dr. Vanzant’s realistic and dramatic depictions, she is known for speaking so deep that it takes more than a moment to catch up to what she is telling us. In this spirit, I offer my “Tree table” to explain her powerful, divinely metaphoric message:
| When Rev. Dr. Says … | Rev. Dr. Translated … |
| Peace Lambs | The Book of Psalm (text from 1:1-2) |
| Be a Tree | Powerful symbols of growth and resurrection. Help reduce negative climate change. |
| Be a Tree | Life, wisdom, life, prosperity. Embody strength. Do not wilt and wither every time a “bird” leaves one’s branches. |
| Root | Women and men with deep roots who have been through some things and still they meditate on the Word. They know that God has a plan and purpose that shall be revealed in due season. |
| Trunk | Life is much bigger than our present moment. |
| Leaves | Look up, reach up … beyond our human limitation. Move toward the light. |
| Fruit | Produce and think long-term. Our lives much produce meaningful fruit. We are known by the fruit we produce. We must produce inward and outward fruit. They remember if you were kind, generous, had an encouraging word and forgiveness when necessary. |
| Soil | Enriched by what we go through. |
| A Tree Planted by the Water … | … Shall not be moved. |
Rev. Dr. Vanzant related with every virtual listener and viewer as being a part of coronavirus pandemic global environment. Her production studio shut down on Feb. 26, 2020 and everyone — including her — was sent home. Since acknowledged the upheaval caused in many lives due in economic, social and physical areas. To that, Rev. Dr. Vanzant says the pandemic highlights the importance of having good roots laid down by individuals.
In her special way, Rev. Dr. Vanzant also expanded the meaning of the words in the Book of Psalm or what she calls the Book of “Peace Lambs” in Chapter 1, Verses 2-3 :
| What is read … | What it means … |
| They | Us |
| Delight | Derive great pleasure and joy |
| Lord | Consciousness of dominion, “I am” |
| It | Presence of God within |
| Prosper | Flourish physically |
Stop holding onto things that hold you down. dim your light and confuse you.
From Rev. Dr. Vanzant to the Hillside International Truth Center family and others joining the exclusive virtual service: “Happy Love Day to You.”
Be a tree.