The Stealthy Disease

A few days ago we discovered that the Black Walnut tree in our yard had unsightly bumps on the top side of lower-branch leaves. We learned, much to our surprise, that this was due to an infestation of gall mites. Yet the problem had been hidden and unseen from the ground; we only discovered the disease when we trimmed off a low-hanging branch.

How deceiving! From a distance, everything looked just fine: thick leaves and abundant growth. Yet our tree had been getting stealthily infected without us even being aware of it.

Black Walnut trees are particularly susceptible to gall mites. The problem is exacerbated when there is thick, unpruned foliage accompanied by a lack of rain. The combination of these two factors help the incubating mites to spread as they irritate the lower branch leaves; the ones that get the least amount of rain because of the thick covering of branches above. Not enough air and space between branches, and not enough rain water, help the mites to get a foothold. And over time, they rob the tree of its strength, its beauty, and its fruitfulness. Yet the problem is not readily apparent without a closer look.

Is there a cure? Yes. Cut off the diseased branches and burn them. Prune the tree so light, air and rain can reach the lower branches and wash them clean. Pour extra nutrients into the soil to help the tree grow stronger and fight back against the infection. 

Even doing these things, it will probably take a couple of years to rid the tree of this stealthy invader.

To me, all of this seems like an apt metaphor for the spiritual journey. If we have too many distractions and commitments (not enough space), or too little refreshment from Jesus (not enough living water), we can become infected and infested in ways that will weaken us. 

Yet unless we’re paying attention, we may be lulled into a sense of false security. We may be busy “doing” and assume that we’re fruitful, without realizing how spiritually dry we are. Quietly, slowly, stealthily, spiritual mites can gnaw at our hearts and souls. What do these mites look like?

• Distraction
• Excessive busyness
• Very little time to pray and be with Jesus
• Increasing impatience…and more

The infestation may be slight and slow, yet constant, making us ever more vulnerable to ever more spiritual disease. That’s why a heart check – an exam of our “branches and leaves” – can make us aware that we are being invaded. A bit of spiritual self-examination (asking “search me, O God”) can alert us to those areas where we need some pruning, or some nutrients, or perhaps both. 

And in our instant-gratification culture, we must remember that – just like the gall mites, who don’t leave quickly – it likely will take time to rid ourselves of a spiritual infestation. Patience is required to restore full health!

And it’s worth the wait, because eradicating stealthy diseases results in what we all want: strength, health, fruitfulness. A healthy tree provides a beautiful canopy of shade and color; a healthy believer enjoys a stronger faith and can provide spiritual refreshment to others. 

But only if we pay attention, so we can remove the mites that want to invade our lives by stealth.

Let me pray for you as you head out into your day. Dear Jesus, thank you for the lesson you taught me from looking at the diseased leaves on our beautiful tree. I pray for those reading this blog. Give them the willingness to do a heart check with you, so they can discover – and eradicate – any stealthy invaders that will sap their spiritual vitality. May their lives be vibrant and beautiful as you cleanse them, and refresh them, by the living water of your Spirit. In your Name, Amen.