If you've spent any time in spiritual circles you've probably encountered the idea that this world is an illusion. A mental projection. Something to transcend. Maybe you’ve even wondered if that's true. But what if it's not? What if the physical world — this body, this life, this experience of time — isn't a lesser realm at all, but the whole point?
Time is often seen as something to manage, measure, or escape—but what if it's actually a sacred part of your spiritual journey? This post explores the spiritual meaning of time and physical reality through a conversation with trees. Hear how God loves you and why he placed you on this earth.
Tuesday, 1:54pm. Once again, I’m at Vander Veer Park. Sitting under a large maple tree with my laptop, it’s almost too warm to tolerate the blanket I used as a buffer from the electromagnetic energy of the machine.
As I settle in and say a prayer, I immediately notice that this maple has a male presence and voice to it. I don’t have a specific question, but have come to ask it to share a story that will help gather people unto Jesus.
Understanding the spiritual meaning of time and physical reality
Today, the trees tell me about time and physical reality. Have you ever wondered why we are here on earth? What is the purpose of time? Is this experience even real, or is the physical world an illusion?
Sometimes, I think of time as a tormentor. Time requires patience. Waiting. The law of gestation decrees that everything happens in due process of time.
Time is critical for the development of patience. In the New Testament, James teaches that our trials build faith and patience (James 1). Time is counted differently for the Lord than it is for us on earth (2 Peter 3:8), so his time is different from ours. Again, patience.
Time, therefore, is a container that holds our experiences, growth, and transformation. The spiritual meaning of time and physical reality is that both are sacred, intentional parts of creation. They exist not to limit us, but to make divine expression possible.
Let’s hear what the trees have to say.
Photo taken by author
Time and physical reality are inseparable
“Write! Write! Write!” says a loud male voice.
"This is what I have to say today. It is today, is it not? No matter. Time is immaterial and irrelevant. All is the same for me."
"Time is for you, a compost, a container, a space, to create and receive and exist in. Without time, there would be no physical reality. Time allows the experience you are having right now. Without time, all is ethereal. Smoke. Billowy. Is not this glorious? It is an experience unlike all others. Unlike any other."
"Without this experience of time, there could be no advancement."
"At some point in development, there is always a next step. Without that next step, development stalls, and eventually decays and dies. This placement of you here in this physical reality is that next step."
"Embrace it. Embrace this time, this experience, no matter what it brings. Allow it to touch you, the joys and the pains. The highs and the lows. This will be a great blessing to you. Embrace, allow, contemplate. That is all."
I thank the tree, and get a "humph" in reply. I think it is time for a visit with another tree!
Embracing physical reality as a part of God’s plan
I find a new tree to sit under. A fir, with long, slim needles. We have talked before, in the fall, when she told me how to distinguish the light of Christ from all others. The bark has a red undertone to it. The branches are smooth, but as they age they become like the bark of the trunk, starting on the underside of the branch first.
As I approach the tree, she says that I can come talk with her. I ask her if she will be nice to me, given the maple's demeanor. "Of course I will," she kindly replies.
"I know that you are here to gather stories and to share them. Thank you for seeking and for coming to gather mine. I have been waiting a long time to be heard. There are not many who know how to listen these days. But that is well, because all comes forth in its due time."
"In the beginning, there was a great dance. An explosion of energy. Of light. Of word." (See Gen 1:3 and John 1:1.)
"All was created, had been created, in spirit form, but did not yet have this place for physical form. (See Gen 2:4-5 and Moses 3:5-7.) The physical form is real, just as real as the spirit form. There are those who believe that this physical reality is not real, that it is simply a projection of mind, of God, of spirit."
"This is not true. It is just as real as spirit is real. It is simply a different space, a different container, for expression and expansion and growth."
"All must grow. What do you do with a seed if you want it to grow? You put it into a growing medium, one that is best suited for that seed. This physical space is the growing medium for the human seed. It has all you need. Isn't that magical and beautiful and thoughtful and kind?"
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels
The spiritual meaning of time
"You do not realize it now, because you cannot see all things. But you can have faith. Trust. Know your Creator, and trust in Him. He made all for all."
"There is all, and there is Jesus, and there is God. God loves and adores everything and everyone, for he created all. All of his creations are already perfect, in perfect form, in perfect time, in perfect place. You, dear Jennifer, are already perfect, and this is the perfect place for you. Your longings for a particular space tell you about yourself, about your nature, your desires, about who you were made to be. Who you already are."
"It is true that you already are what you desire. All seeds grow from within. The draw to them that which they need to express what they already are, what they already contain. The blueprint is there. Check your blueprint and see what you need to grow. Do you need more movement, more air? Do you need play? Freedom? Fun? Yes! All of these things, and more. If you feed the desires of your heart, your body will thrive. It will glow. It will develop as it should."
"Do not suppress. Do not suppress your desires, your plans for good. Express the joy and goodness that is within. Start where you are, no matter how seemingly small those desires for good may be. They will expand as you express and as you grow. Allow the goodness and beauty to come forth, bit by bit, day by day."
"Patience. Patience is needed. Things take time. Movement, repeated, bit by bit. Do not fret about the goal. Do not fret about the ending, or the date, or the time. Each bit is good and glorious! Simply repeat, bit by bit, day by day, moment by moment. That is all."
God's plan is glorious
I am so grateful to know that God has a plan for us! That we are here with a purpose, on earth, so that we may learn and grow. We are here to progress, to serve others, and to develop and multiple our talents. As we follow the light of Christ, we will do more and more good each day.
Main image photo by Melike B from Pexels
