Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 10th and 11th October, 2009.

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 10th and 11th October, 2009.

Jacaranda Time

Yesterday as I walked from the chapel to the hospital where I work as a chaplain, I looked across the car park and could not help notice that some of the trees were covered in purple. The small purple flowers combine to make a brilliant show and they contrast with the green of the other trees. Even on an overcast and showery day like today, they seem to have a brightness which one cannot escape noticing.

I don’t know whether Jacaranda trees (jacaranda mimosifolia) grow near your place. Your answer if you live within a 1000 or so kilometres of my place is probably yes. You will be familiar with that purple canopy which spreads out across the tree from mid spring (October) until just after Christmas.

Actually, this year the jacaranda trees in Brisbane have been flowering for about a month. Some will quickly proclaim it is because of climate change. Others have said it is because of the dry weather we have had in the past few months. Even others have said it is because of the relatively warm winter we had this year. I guess none of us know why, but we can all enjoy them.

In some cities the purple canopies seem to be everywhere in parks, along streets and in backyards. Jacarandas lose their leaves before they burst into flower. Soon after they commence flowering, a carpet of purple flowers on the ground matches the spectacular and shade giving canopy above.

Jacarandas come from Brazil but they grow well in Australia. Jacarandas are large trees which grow to 10m (30ft) tall and up to 10m (30ft) wide with a low, broad branching habit. The City of Grafton and the suburb of Goodna in Ipswich both have Jacaranda Festivals. I heard someone say on radio, that they hope the trees are still in bloom when Goodna has their festival from 23rd to 25th October, 2009 (http://goodnajacarandafestival.com/).


In some places tall upright growing (25m/ 75ft) Australian native Silky Oak trees (grevillea robusta) will be planted near Jacarandas because they flower at the same time with a complimentary orange golden flower. They look great in combination, not only because of the flowers. One is tall and stately the other a spreading canopy. Silky Oak is an excellent furniture and interior timber. I believe it is know as lacewood in some places.

Around the end of November these two are joined by the red Poinciana tree (delonix regia) from Madagascar. This tree grows to about 12 metres (40ft) tall and even wider than that. The Poinciana like the jacaranda looses its leaves before the flowers open to cover the canopy. (Try a Google search of these three trees : Jacaranda; then Poinciana and then Grevillea robusta but click on “image” before clicking on “search”. Google is at www.google.com).

Jacarandas serve another purpose. They remind students that the end of the year examinations are just around the corner. It is time to turn in the final assignments for the year and to spend long hours thumbing through text books and searching the web for that morsel of information that will help in those final tests.

Jacaranda trees serve to remind the observant student that it is examination time. It is a time when the effort made during the year will be tested by probing questions. Jesus reminds us that we must be ready for his return. The Bible says He will return without warning. He will come unannounced just like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 (The Message)

1I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen.
2You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would.
3About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"-suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this?
5You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand.
6So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.
7People sleep at night and get drunk at night.
8But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
9God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ.
10He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him!
11So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

2 Peter Chapter 3 (The Message)

10But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
11Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?
12Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—
13but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
14So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

A hymn for meditation and prayer:

[ Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_038.mp3 ]

Lord, thou art questioning: Lovest thou me?
Yea, Lord, thou knowest, my answer must be;
But since love's value is proved by love's test,
Jesus, I'll give thee the dearest and best.

Chorus
All in my heart, Lord, thou canst read;
Master, thou knowest I love thee indeed.
Ask what thou wilt my devotion to test,
I will surrender the dearest and best.

How couldst thou smile on me if, in my heart,
I were unwilling from treasures to part?
Since my redemption cost thee such a price,
Utmost surrender alone will suffice.

Down at thy feet all my fears I let go,
Back on thy strength all my weakness I throw;
Lord, in my life thou shalt have thine own way,
Speak but the word, and thy child will obey.
Author: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 507]


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