Bristlecone pine trees are among the oldest living species of tree. The hardships in their life can be seen in their twisted forms and stunted growth, having survived droughts, fires, winds, heavy snowbanks, bitter cold, and searing heat. Even when a part of the tree suffers breakage or rot, the tree will continue to grow as long as there is some bit of surviving tissue.

We’ve spent the last few days at Great Basin National Park, situated on the Utah Nevada border just east of Ely, Nevada. We’ve been able to witness some ancient bristlecone pine trees, and have gained a new appreciation for their majesty. We also saw a Bristlecone Pines in Bryce Canyon and in Cedar Break, two of our recent stops although their majesty didn’t quite register there as it has here.  Here at Great Basin National Park, we walked a small interpretive trail on our hike to the glacier. The trail winds through a small grove of these beautiful trees, and we learned much from the informative signs along the trail.

Of the many traits of these trees, the one I think of most often is Tenacity. These trees are tenacious, overcoming challenges year after year to fulfill the full measure of their creation. The results of their work can be seen in the beautiful forms they create as they grow.

Bristlecone Pines are not tall trees, but cannot be viewed as weak. The twisted wood of their trunks and branches can only be viewed as muscular, strong, and stalwart.

If I were a tree, would I have that much tenacity? Would I be able to hold on through think and thin? What of my life now? Am I diligent in striving to reach the full measure of MY creation? I believe that God has a plan for our lives, and that our efforts to follow that plan are rewarded with peace and happiness, both in this life and in the eternities.

I hope that someday, I can look back at my life and see something as majestic as a Bristlecone Pine.